Articles DC5m United States mix in english 358 articles, created at 2017-02-02 12:21 Violent protests over Yiannopulos event bring chaos to Berkeley
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A planned appearance Wednesday by controversial internet figure Milo Yiannopoulos, an editor for the conservative website Breitbart was canceled after protests turned violent on the U. C. Berkeley campus. A similar event at UC Davis was also canceled. Protesters took to the streets of Berkeley after police dispersed the crowd at the university and broke into several banks and businesses including a Chase location and a Wells Fargo location. The 32-year-old Greek-born British journalist is a senior editor for the conservative news and opinion website. He's been called a spokesperson for the so-called "alt-right" movement for his extreme views on Islam, social justice, and political correctness. He's a self-proclaimed "internet troll" who has been widely criticized for being racist and misogynistic. Passions started flaring around 4 p.m. between both sides on the Cal campus ahead of Yiannopoulos' 8 p.m. speech. The event is sponsored by the Berkeley College Republicans. Extra police officers were called to monitor the event. The protests turned violent shortly before 5 p.m. as the event approached, with demonstrators lighting fires and fireworks on the Cal campus. Yiannopoulos spoke Monday night at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, where he drew a diverse crowd of opponents and supporters. Cal State police monitored the crowd closely. The sold-out event was sponsored by the Cal Poly chapter of the College Republicans and not by the university itself. The barricades were up for the crowds expected ahead of Yiannopoulos' speech before protesters tore them down. "We're doing this because we feel like we want to exercise our free speech," said President of the Berkeley College Republicans Jose Diaz. "We want to bring someone here on campus to help speak on issues that sort of opens the dialogue. "But there are many others who believe Yiannopoulos' rhetoric is hateful, even dangerous, and has no place on a public university campus. "Chancellor Dirks in his statement said the Constitution does not allow him to restrict free speech, and that's not true," said protest organizer Mukund Rathi. "Universities restrict free speech all the time for educational and security reasons. "Last month, Yiannopoulos' planned appearance at U. C. Davis was canceled at the last minute due to security concerns. Yiannopoulos responded on Facebook after Wednesday's event was canceled, saying he had been "evacuated from the UC Berkeley campus after violent left-wing protestors tore down barricades, lit fires, threw rocks and Roman candles at the windows. ""We are confident that we have the plan and the pieces in place," said Dan Mogulof of U. C. Berkeley. "The law, ample court precedent, and the Supreme Cout could not be clearer that this event is fully and completely protected by the first amendment. "Twitter users reported that officers were firing rubber bullets at the protesters, and U. C. Berkeley police issued the demonstrators a ten-minute order to disperse, or be arrested.
Far-right editor’s appearance at UC Berkeley canceled amid violence sacbee.com
VIDEO: Berkeley student union vandalized during protest abc7news.com
UC Berkeley cancels Milo event after Violent protesters block Berkeley talk violent protests Contact WND by Breitbart editor wnd.com cbs46.com
Violent protesters block Berkeley speech by Breitbart editor lasvegassun.com
Milo Yiannopoulos event at Berkeley canceled after protests rss.cnn.com
2017-02-02 03:30 (Copyright abc7news.com
Milo Yiannopoulos event at UC Berkeley canceled after fiery riots
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BERKELEY, Calif. -- A University of California, Berkeley official says a talk by a polarizing Breitbart News editor at the university has been canceled as protesters outside the building where the speech was to have taken place threw smoke bombs and set a fire. UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulos says officials are advising the campus to shelter in place and to stay away from the student union building, where Milo Yiannopoulos was scheduled to speak. Hundreds of protesters were observed at Wednesday evening’s event, CBS San Francisco reports. Over 2,100 people responded to a Facebook post that they would be attending. With masked activists joining the already large group of protesters gathered in the area between Sather Gate and the north end of Telegraph Avenue as night fell, campus police were holding their positions near the entrance of the UC Berkeley student union building hosting the event. Protesters began throwing bricks, lit fireworks and rocks at the building. Some used police barriers as battering rams to attack the doors of the venue and lit fires outside the venue, including one that engulfed a gas-powered portable floodlight. Protesters outside a Milo Yiannopoulos event at UC Berkeley on Feb. 1, 2017. Yiannopoulos was making the last stop of a tour aimed at defying what he calls an epidemic of political correctness on college campuses. This is not the first time there has been violence at one of the events from the tour. A person was shot in the crowd outside Yiannopoulos’ event in Seattle on Jan. 21. An event with Yiannopoulous and former pharmacy executive Martin Shkreli at UC Davis was canceled after protests.
A group of protesters dressed in black and some in hooded sweatshirts broke windows, threw smoke bombs and flares at a building and set a large bonfire outside the building. Hundreds of peaceful demonstrators carrying signs that read “Hate Speech Is Not Free Speech” had been protesting for hours before the event.
Violent protests at Berkeley college prompt cancellation of speech by right-wing writer Milo Yiannopoulos feeds.nydailynews.com
Milo Yiannopoulous' speech at UCBerkeley canceled as protest turns violent rssfeeds.freep.com
UC Berkeley cancels Milo event after violent protests Contact WND wnd.com
UC Berkeley Protests Milo Yiannopoulos Speech: Fires Set & Campus On Lockdown hollywoodlife.com
Milo Yiannopoulos event at Berkeley canceled after protests rss.cnn.com
2017-02-02 04:12 CBS/AP www.cbsnews.com
In call with Australian leader, Trump badgers and brags
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It should have been one of the most congenial calls for the new commander in chief - a conversation with the leader of Australia, one of America’s staunchest allies, at the end of a triumphant week. Instead, President Donald Trump blasted Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over a refugee agreement and boasted about the magnitude of his electoral college win, according to senior U. S. officials briefed on the Saturday exchange. Then, 25 minutes into what was expected to be an hour-long call, Trump abruptly ended it. At one point, Trump informed Turnbull that he had spoken with four other world leaders that day - including Russian President Vladimir Putin - and that “this was the worst call by far.” Trump’s behavior suggests that he is capable of subjecting world leaders, including close allies, to a version of the vitriol he frequently employs against political adversaries and news organizations in speeches and on Twitter. “This is the worst deal ever,” Trump fumed as Turnbull attempted to confirm that the United States would honor its pledge to take in 1,250 refugees from an Australian detention center. Trump, who one day earlier had signed an executive order temporarily barring the admissions of refugees, complained that he was “going to get killed” politically and accused Australia of seeking to export the “next Boston bombers.” Trump returned to the topic late Wednesday night, writing in a message on Twitter, “Do you believe it? The Obama Administration agreed to take thousands of illegal immigrants from Australia. Why? I will study this dumb deal!”
U. S. officials said that Trump has behaved similarly in conversations with leaders of other countries, including Mexico. But his treatment of Turnbull was particularly striking because of the tight bond between the United States and Australia - countries that share intelligence, support one another diplomatically and have fought together in wars including in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The characterizations provide insight into Trump’s temperament and approach to the diplomatic requirements of his job as the nation’s chief executive, a role in which he continues to employ both the uncompromising negotiating tactics he honed as a real estate developer and the bombastic style he exhibited as a reality television personality.
The depictions of Trump’s calls are also at odds with sanitized White House accounts. The official readout of his conversation with Turnbull, for example, said that the two had “emphasized the enduring strength and closeness of the U. S.-Australia relationship that is critical for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.” A White House spokesman declined to comment. A senior administration official acknowledged that the conversation with Turnbull had been hostile and charged, but emphasized that most of Trump’s calls with foreign leaders - including the heads of Japan, Germany, France and Russia - have been both productive and pleasant.
Trump also vented anger and touted his political accomplishments in a tense conversation with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, officials said. The two have sparred for months over Trump’s vow to force Mexico to pay for construction of a border wall between the two countries, a conflict that prompted Peña Nieto to cancel a planned meeting with Trump. Even in conversations marred by hostile exchanges, Trump manages to work in references to his election accomplishments. U. S. officials said that he used his calls with both Turnbull and Peña Nieto to mention his election win or the size of the crowd at his inauguration. One official said that it may be Trump’s way of “speaking about the mandate he has and why he has the backing for decisions he makes.” But Trump is also notoriously thin-skinned and has used platforms including social-media accounts, meetings with lawmakers and even a speech at CIA headquarters to depict his victory as an achievement of historic proportions, rather than a narrow outcome in which his opponent, Hillary Clinton, won the popular vote. The friction with Turnbull reflected Trump’s anger over being bound by an agreement reached by former President Barack Obama’s administration to accept refugees from Australian detention sites even while Trump was issuing an executive order suspending such arrivals from elsewhere in the world. The issue centers on a population of roughly 2,500 people who sought asylum in Australia but were diverted to facilities off that country’s coast at Nauru and Manus Island in Papua New Guinea. Deplorable conditions at those sites prompted intervention from the United Nations and a pledge from the United States to accept about half of those refugees, provided they passed U. S. security screening. Many of the refugees came from Iran, Iraq, Sudan and Somalia, countries now listed in Trump’s order temporarily barring their citizens entry to the United States. A special provision in the Trump order allows for exceptions to honor “a preexisting international agreement,” a line that was inserted to cover the Australia deal. But U. S. officials said that Trump continued to fume about the arrangement even after signing the order in a ceremony at the Pentagon.
“I don’t want these people,” Trump said. He repeatedly misstated the number of refugees called for in the agreement as 2,000 rather than 1,250, and told Turnbull that it was “my intention” to honor the agreement, a phrase designed to leave the U. S. president wiggle room to back out of the deal in the future, according to a senior U. S. official. Turnbull told Trump that to honor the agreement, the United States would not have to accept all of the refugees but only to allow them each through the normal vetting procedures. At that, Trump vowed to subject each refugee to “extreme vetting,” the senior U. S. official said. Trump was also skeptical because he did not see a specific advantage the United States would gain by honoring the deal, officials said. Trump’s position appears to reflect the transactional view he takes of relationships, even when it comes to diplomatic ties with long-standing allies. Australia troops have fought alongside U. S. forces for decades, and the country maintains close cooperation with Washington on trade and economic issues. Australia is seen as such a trusted ally that it is one of only four countries that the United States includes in the “Five Eyes” arrangement for cooperation on espionage matters. Members share extensively what their intelligence services gather and generally refrain from spying on one another. There also is a significant amount of tourism between the two countries. Trump made the call to Turnbull about 5 p.m. Saturday from his desk in the Oval Office, where he was joined by chief strategist Stephen Bannon, national security adviser Michael Flynn and White House press secretary Sean Spicer. At one point, Turnbull suggested that the two leaders move on from their impasse over refugees to discuss the conflict in Syria and other pressing foreign issues. But Trump demurred and ended the call, making it far shorter than his conversations with Shinzo Abe of Japan, Angela Merkel of Germany, François Hollande of France or Putin. “These conversations are conducted candidly, frankly, privately,” Turnbull said at a news conference Thursday in Australia. “If you see reports of them, I’m not going to add to them.”
Trump conducts tense call with Australian leader news24.com
President Trump and Australia PM have 'worst call' bbc.co.uk
Australian PM, Trump offer mixed messages on refugee deal cbs46.com
Trump call to Aussie PM: Badgered and bragged Contact WND wnd.com
Trump has heated exchange with Australian leader, sources say rss.cnn.com
2017-02-02 02:30 By Greg www.post-gazette.com
’ Mexico denies Trump threatened to send troops against ‘bad hombres’ — RT America
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The statement “did not happen during that call,” the Mexican government said on Twitter. “I know it with absolute certainty, there was no threat. The things that have been said are nonsense and a downright lie,” Peña Nieto’s spokesman, Eduardo Sanchez, said in a radio interview. Mexico’s foreign relations department slammed the report, saying its allegations were “based on absolute falsehoods” and “do not correspond to the reality at all.” “The tone was constructive and it was agreed by the presidents to continue working and that the teams will continue to meet frequently to construct an agreement that is positive for Mexico and for the United States,” the department added, as cited by AP. The White House has refused to comment, instead pointing to a joint statement regarding the call that appeared on Friday. The two leaders reportedly spoke about the need to “work together to stop drug cartels, drug trafficking and illegal guns and arms sales.” At a press conference with UK Prime Minister Theresa May last week, Trump also described his call with Pena Nieto as “friendly.” A few hours before the statement from the Mexican government was released, the AP and a Mexican news website called Aristegui Noticias reported that Trump had mentioned the possibility of sending US troops to Mexico to stop “bad hombres down there.” The media outlets cited an excerpt of an alleged transcript of the phone call that they claim they had obtained. “You have a bunch of bad hombres down there,” AP cited Trump as saying. “You aren’t doing enough to stop them. I think your military is scared. Our military isn’t, so I just might send them down to take care of it,” the US president allegedly added This isn’t the first time Trump is reported to have used the term “bad hombres.” During a presidential debate in October, he pledged to eradicate “drug lords” and “bad people,” saying “we have some bad hombres here, and we’re going to get them out.” The term has been viral ever since, inciting immense uproar, both on- and offline. Tensions between the US and Mexico have escalated since Trump once again raised the issue of building a wall between the two countries – at Mexico’s expense. Afterwards, Pena Nieto canceled his trip to the US that had been scheduled for January 31, while Trump said he would be unable to visit Mexico if its leadership refuses to pay for the wall. Adding fuel to the fire, last week, the White House suggested imposing a 20 percent tax on imports from Mexico in order to finance the wall. The countries carry out some $1.6 billion in cross-border trade daily.
Take care of 'bad hombres' or US might wral.com
Trump to Mexico: Take care of ‘bad hombres’ or US might wtop.com
Mexican government says Trump never threatened to send troops to Mexico post-gazette.com
Mexican government: Trump never threatened to send troops Contact WND wnd.com
Donald Trump: Troops To Mexico In Scary Threat About Cleaning Up ‘Bad Hombres’ hollywoodlife.com
2017-02-02 05:17 www.rt.com
National briefs: Violent protests cancel speech in California
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A speech by the divisive right-wing editor Milo Yiannopoulos at the University of California, Berkeley, was canceled Wednesday night after demonstrators set fires and threw objects at buildings to protest his appearance. The university announced the cancellation about an hour after a section of the campus erupted in protest. There were no immediate reports of arrests or injuries. All buildings on campus were in a lockdown, and the university police said on Twitter that those on campus should “shelter in place.” Mr. Yiannopoulos, an editor at Breitbart News, is known for his gleeful attacks on political correctness that can sometimes veer into offensive and racially charged language.
PHILADELPHIA — Teachers at a Pennsylvania boarding school sexually preyed on children for half a century while administrators turned a blind eye, a grand jury said in a report Wednesday. No charges were expected, mostly because the crimes alleged at the culturally progressive Solebury School in New Hope occurred too long ago to be prosecuted. The report describes nine teachers or officials who engaged in sexual relationships with students at the school from the 1950s through 2005. School leaders repeatedly failed to report the alleged sexual abuse to police or child welfare officials. The Bucks County campus was described as having a relaxed environment in which students and teachers called each other by their first names, socialized together and sometimes formed close friendships. MINNEAPOLIS — A jury has convicted a Minnesota man who shot and wounded five black men demonstrating against the fatal shooting of a black man by Minneapolis police officers. Allen Scarsella, 24, was found guilty of assault and riot charges Wednesday. He was accused of shooting and injuring the men at a Black Lives Matter protest after the death of Jamar Clark in 2015. Attorneys for Mr. Scarsella and the three men he was with say their clients went to the protest outside a north Minneapolis police station to livestream video on Nov. 23, 2015. Mr. Scarsella testified that he opened fire to protect himself after he says he was punched and told to leave by protesters. Also in the nation … Puerto Rico’s government on Wednesday announced another multimillion-dollar default — it missed $312 million worth of bond payments this time — as the crisis-wracked U. S. territory seeks to restructure nearly $70 billion in public debt, but the U. S. territory also paid $295 million worth of interest due on some debt. … Republicans have yet to agree on how they want to replace the Affordable Care Act, but panelists suggested at a Senate hearing Wednesday that insurance companies need some details by the end of March as they develop health coverage packages for 2018.
Violent protests at Berkeley college prompt cancellation of speech by right-wing writer Milo Yiannopoulos feeds.nydailynews.com
Milo Yiannopoulous' speech at UCBerkeley canceled as protest turns violent rssfeeds.freep.com
UC Berkeley cancels Milo event after violent protests Contact WND wnd.com
Violent protesters block Berkeley speech by Breitbart editor lasvegassun.com
2017-02-02 01:20 www.post-gazette.com
Trump Slams Australia Refugee Deal as ‘Dumb,’ Hints at Possible Pullout
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President Donald Trump suggested Wednesday evening that he could back out of an agreement with Australia to take 1,250 refugees, calling it a “dumb deal!” in a Twitter post. The social-media post came four days after Mr. Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had a combative phone call about the status of the refugee agreement. The discussion devolved from there, according to people familiar with the call. Mr....
US-Australia refugee deal: What you Donald Trump attacks 'dumb' refugee need to know deal with Australia rss.cnn.com independent.ie
Australian PM, Trump offer mixed messages on refugee deal cbs46.com
Trump says he will reevaluate 'dumb deal' to resettle refugees from Australia thehill.com
2017-02-02 01:53 Damian Paletta www.wsj.com
States differ in response to Trump immigration plans
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A look at what some states have done or are considering after President Donald Trump signed an executive order threatening to withhold federal funding from communities that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities: ___ STATES CONSIDERING PRO-SANCTUARY STATUS — California: Legislative Democrats on Tuesday advanced a bill that would provide statewide sanctuary for immigrants by restricting local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. The measure marks their first formal effort to resist Trump's immigration policies.
— Vermont: Republican Gov. Phil Scott said late Monday his state will not work with federal authorities to carry out border security and immigration enforcement orders. Scott also said he would ask the Legislature to pass laws that would prohibit local officials from carrying out such actions.
— New Mexico: A proposal from Democrats would prevent local law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration laws and would turn the state with the largest percentage of Hispanic residents into a "sanctuary state. " GOP Gov. Susana Martinez appears unlikely to endorse the measure. ___ STATES CONSIDERING ANTI-SANCTUARY LAWS — Texas: Gov. Greg Abbott instructed lawmakers to send him a bill by June that punishes local governments that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities. He wants to withhold taxpayer money to cities that don't detain immigrants in the country illegally and have the power to remove elected officials who don't comply.
— Idaho: Legislation introduced this week would keep taxpayer money from municipalities if they stop enforcing federal immigration laws. Officers would not be allowed to arrest or round up suspects solely for immigration violations, but if a suspect cannot provide proof of immigration status 48 hours after being detained, officials could check and it would be noted in the court record. — Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania: Statehouses in those states have introduced legislation this year seeking to ban cities or schools from breaking with federal immigration laws. — Georgia: Lawmakers are considering a bill prohibiting state funding to private schools that declare themselves "sanctuary campuses. "
U. S. judge orders Trump administration to allow entry to immigrant visa holders feeds.reuters.com
Former AG Alberto Gonzales: Trump immigration order rollout 'botched' rssfeeds.usatoday.com
Senate confirms Tillerson to be Trump's secretary of state news24.com
Trump immigration order protested in Loop abc7chicago.com
2017-02-02 03:16 The Associated www.thenewstribune.com
Trump could fracture US and Australia's 'great alliance', experts say
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Military, intelligence and cultural ties, combined with billions of dollars in investment and trade , built what former US President Obama described as a "great alliance. " But experts say the fallout from the rise of US President Donald Trump, who had a heated phone call with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on the weekend, could push the two countries apart. "I think there will be long term consequences," Australian National University School of Politics professor John Warhurst told CNN. "It may well be that Trump's US and the rest of the world is fundamentally changed over the coming years. " In a phone call on Saturday, Trump and Turnbull butted heads about a deal struck with the Obama administration for the United States to take 1,250 refugees from Australia's offshore detention centers. "I hope that friends on both sides can limit the damage that Mr Trump has done today ... It's a very troubling start to Mr Trump's management of the Australia alliance," Executive Director of Sydney's Lowy Institute, Dr Michael Fullilove, told CNN. 'Australia looks to America' The US-Australian alliance dates back to the height of World War II, when Australian Prime Minister John Curtin announced a major shift in foreign policy. "Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom," he wrote in his New Year message published on December 27, 1941 . Since then Australia has fought in at least five wars with the United States, including Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. US troops are stationed at a military base in the northern Australian city of Darwin , as part of a deal struck by Obama. More than 70 years after Curtin's message, speaking to the US congress in 2012, Prime Minister Julia Gillard reduced Speaker John Boehner to tears as she told them, "Americans can do anything. " The two even share confidential information as part of the exclusive intelligence sharing arrangement known as "Five Eyes," along with Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. "It's a cultural alliance, it's certainly a military alliance and in that sense it's Australia's closest alliance. I don't think any other countries match the closeness of that relationship," Warhurst said. Tens of billions of dollars of trade flows between the countries every year, making the US Australia's second-largest trading partner in 2015. Frayed alliance Even before Trump's rise to power, there had been complaints in Australia about the closeness of the US alliance. "For generations of (Australian) politicians it's been the default option -- the alliance is vital," International Politics professor Mark Beeson at University of Western Australia told CNN. "However there have been the beginnings of the debate in Australia about what the benefit of the alliance was ... What is Australia's vital strategic interest in Iraq and Afghanistan? " Beeson said Trump could push Australia towards closer alliances with its allies in the Asia region, including South Korea, Japan and Indonesia. "(The change) wouldn't leave Australia as vulnerable to shifts in US foreign policy and leadership," he said. But Fullilove said it was far too soon to tell what the final fallout would be to the Australia-US alliance, saying the relationship was larger than just Trump and Turnbull. "(With Trump) if you overreact to every tweet you will exhaust yourself," he said. "You're better to squint your eyes and think what is the lasting damage and we don't know the damage yet. "
President Trump and Australia PM have 'worst call' bbc.co.uk
Donald Trump attacks 'dumb' refugee Trump says he will reevaluate 'dumb deal with Australia deal' to resettle refugees from independent.ie Australia thehill.com
2017-02-02 03:51 Ben Westcott rss.cnn.com
Stephen Curry’s 3-point clinic leads Warriors past Hornets
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OAKLAND, California—Stephen Curry made a sweet crossover, then stepped back and knocked down another 3-pointer as Kevin Durant covered his mouth with his hand in pure admiration and awe. In his last six quarters, Curry has 20 3-pointers and 82 points – and the Golden State Warriors have been so far ahead coach Steve Kerr could rest his MVP for the fourth period both times. With dad Dell watching live Wednesday night, Curry hit 11 3-pointers and scored 39 points, coming back with vengeance from a one-game absence while ill and leading the Warriors to a 126-111 blowout of his hometown Charlotte Hornets. “It’s always cool to see my dad on the sidelines commentating the game on their end,” Curry said. “You get a little juice from that, too. … I don’t take those opportunities for granted because this an unbelievable opportunity to play the game that he played for 16 years in the NBA and carry on that name in the league.” For everybody who questioned Steph’s productivity and shooting touch months ago as Durant came aboard, he has quieted them all. “Early on, he got it cookin’,” Durant said. “We kind of rode the wave from there.” Klay Thompson added 29 points and matched his career high with eight assists, and Durant had 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the NBA-leading Warriors (42-7). Curry recorded his fifth career game with at least 11 3s, shot 14 for 20, 11 of 15 from long range and dished out eight assists facing Charlotte for the second time in exactly a week. The two-time reigning NBA MVP was sick – his shooting, that is. He sat out Sunday night at Portland with the stomach flu. Nothing slowed him down this night, and he even hit one third-quarter 3 while falling into the front row of fans. “It’s amazing. You’ve got to appreciate greatness,” Thompson said. Already having set the regular-season single-game record with 13 on Nov. 7 against New Orleans, Curry rested in the fourth. Golden State wound up with 21 3s in all Wednesday on a franchise-record 48 attempts. Frank Kaminsky scored 24 points off the bench for the Hornets, who lost their sixth in a row overall and ninth straight on the road. Curry hit six first-quarter 3s and Golden State matched a franchise record with nine 3s in a quarter, doing so for the sixth time. The Warriors led 41-21 after the first, their NBA-leading 14th 40-point quarter. The Warriors reached 70 points by halftime for the seventh time, up 77-56 at the break. Late in the first half, Curry hit his 1,788th career regular-season 3, which moved him past Rashard Lewis into 12th on the NBA career list. In the waning seconds before halftime, two defenders swarmed Curry near half-court in an effort to keep the ball out of his hands. “When he’s shooting the basketball like that, he’s pretty unguardable,” Charlotte’s Kemba Walker said. JaVale McGee scored nine points and had a season-best four blocks starting in place of injured center Zaza Pachulia, who will miss at least a week with a strained right rotator cuff. Back and forth to the D-League all season, rookie Damian Jones made his Oracle Arena debut and scored his first career NBA points. “We gave him the game ball, then we asked him if he wanted to give a speech to the guys,” Kerr said. “It wasn’t exactly historic, but it was a great moment for him.”
Dell Curry shows up Stephen by hitting crazy long 3-pointer nypost.com
Stephen Curry's 3-point clinic leads Warriors past Hornets cbs46.com
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors rain threes on Charlotte Hornets upi.com
2017-02-02 05:25 Associated Press sports.inquirer.net
US puts Iran 'on notice' after missile test, won't elaborate
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The White House has issued a cryptic warning that the U. S. will act against Iran unless it stops testing ballistic missiles and supporting Houthi rebels in Yemen, but declined to say what retaliatory actions the U. S. would pursue.
Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump's national security adviser, forcefully denounced Iran's behavior in his first public remarks since Trump took office. He accused Iran of threatening U. S. allies and spreading instability throughout the Middle East while faulting the Obama administration for doing too little to stop the Islamic Republic. "As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice," Flynn said from the White House podium. On notice for what, Flynn didn't say. Senior Trump administration officials said they were actively considering a "range of options" including economic measures and increased support for Iran's regional adversaries. The officials, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity, declined repeatedly to say whether military action was being considered. Later Wednesday, Trump tweeted: "Iran is rapidly taking over more and more of Iraq even after the U. S. has squandered three trillion dollars there. Obvious long ago! " The warning was an early manifestation of Trump's promise of a tougher American approach to Iran. Yet administration officials emphasized that their allegations were unrelated to Iran's obligations under the Iran nuclear deal that President Barack Obama and world leaders negotiated. Though Flynn noted Trump has criticized that deal, officials declined to say whether Trump planned to follow through on his campaign pledge to renegotiate it. "The Obama administration failed to respond adequately to Tehran's malign actions — including weapons transfers, support for terrorism and other violations of international norms," Flynn said.
The White House also faulted Iran for backing Houthi rebels in Yemen who on Tuesday claimed a successful missile strike against a warship belonging to a Saudi-led coalition fighting to reinstall Yemen's internationally recognized government. The media arm of the Shiite rebels said the vessel was believed to belong to the Saudi Arabian navy. Administration officials said Iran was providing key support by arming, training and financing the rebels, with a goal of leveraging its relationship with the Houthis to "build a long-term presence in Yemen. " The White House said the goal in putting Iran "on notice" was to signal to Tehran that it needed to rethink its behavior. Flynn said Iran specifically violated the U. N.'s ban on "activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology. " Iran's Defense Minister Gen. Hossein Dehghan confirmed Wednesday that Iran conducted a missile test, but did not say when the test was carried out or specify the type of missile. He insisted it wasn't a violation of U. N. resolutions. The U. S. said the test was of a medium-range ballistic missile. It ended with a "failed" re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, said a U. S. defense official, who wasn't authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Reports of the test emerged after Trump signed an executive order last week temporarily suspending immigration from Iran and six other majority-Muslim countries. On one point, the U. S. and Iran agree: The test didn't violate the nuclear deal itself. Ballistic missile testing wasn't explicitly included in the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers. But as part of the final negotiations, Iran agreed to an eight-year extension of a U. N. ban on ballistic missile development. The U. N. Security Council later endorsed the agreement, calling on Iran not to carry out such tests. But Iran has flouted the prohibition regularly in the past year-and-a-half, drawing sanctions from the U. S. but also diplomatic cover from Russia. At America's request, the U. N. Security Council held a session Tuesday to address the missile test. The council referred the matter to its committee on Iran and asked for an investigation.
Iran has long boasted of having missiles that can travel 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles), putting much of the Middle East, including Israel, in range. Such capability would also put U. S. bases in the region in danger. Iran says its missiles are key to deterring a U. S. or Israeli attack. In March, Iran test-fired two ballistic missiles. One was emblazoned with the phrase "Israel must be wiped out" in Hebrew, sparking international outcry.
U.S. puts Iran ‘on notice’ after missile test, won’t elaborate post-gazette.com
Iran confirms missile test news24.com
What does it mean for the White House to put Iran 'on notice' msnbc.com
2017-02-02 04:48 By VIVIAN www.charlotteobserver.com
US investigating more possible civilian deaths in Yemen raid on al Qaeda
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The U. S. military said on Wednesday it was looking into whether more civilians were killed in a raid on al Qaeda in Yemen on the weekend, in the first operation authorized by President Donald Trump as commander in chief. U. S. Navy SEAL William "Ryan" Owens was killed in the raid on a branch of al Qaeda, also known as AQAP, in al Bayda province, which the Pentagon said also killed 14 militants. However, medics at the scene said about 30 people, including 10 women and children, were killed. U. S. Central Command said in a statement that an investigating team had "concluded regrettably that civilian non-combatants were likely killed" during Sunday's raid. It said children may have been among the casualties. Central Command said its assessment "seeks to determine if there were any still-undetected civilian casualties in the ferocious firefight. " U. S. military officials told Reuters that Trump approved his first covert counterterrorism operation without sufficient intelligence, ground support or adequate backup preparations. As a result, three officials said, the attacking SEAL team found itself dropping onto a reinforced al Qaeda base defended by landmines, snipers, and a larger than expected contingent of heavily armed Islamist extremists. The Pentagon directed queries about the officials' characterization of the raid to U. S. Central Command, which pointed only to its statement on Wednesday. "CENTCOM asks for operations we believe have a good chance for success and when we ask for authorization we certainly believe there is a chance of successful operations based on our planning," CENTCOM spokesman Colonel John Thomas said. "Any operation where you are going to put operators on the ground has inherent risks," he said. The U. S. officials said the extremists' base had been identified as a target before the Obama administration left office on Jan. 20, but then-President Barack Obama held off approving a raid ahead of his departure. A White House official said the operation was thoroughly vetted by the previous administration and that the previous defense secretary had signed off on it in January. The raid was delayed for operational reasons, the White House official said.
The military officials who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity said "a brutal firefight" killed Owens and at least 15 Yemeni women and children. One of the dead was the 8-year-old daughter of Anwar al-Awlaki, a militant killed by a 2011 U. S. drone strike. Some of the women were firing at the U. S. force, Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis told reporters. INTELLIGENCE GATHERED The American elite forces did not seize any militants or take any prisoners offsite, but White House spokesman Sean Spicer said on Wednesday the raid yielded benefits. "Knowing that we killed an estimated 14 AQAP members and that we gathered an unbelievable amount of intelligence that will prevent the potential deaths or attacks on American soil - is something that I think most service members understand, that that's why they joined the service," Spicer said. A senior leader in Yemen's al Qaeda branch, Abdulraoof al-Dhahab, and other militants were killed in the gunbattle, al Qaeda said. One of the three U. S. officials said on-the-ground surveillance of the compound was "minimal, at best. " "The decision was made... to leave it to the incoming administration, partly in the hope that more and better intelligence could be collected," that official said. As Sunday's firefight intensified, the raiders called in Marine helicopter gunships and Harrier jump jets, and then two MV-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to extract the SEALs. One of the two suffered engine failure, two of the officials said, and hit the ground so hard that two crew members were injured, and one of the Marine jets had to launch a precision-guided bomb to destroy it. Trump traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Wednesday in an unexpected visit to meet the family of Owens, who had been a chief special warfare operator.
U.S. acknowledges civilian casualties in Yemen raid that killed Navy SEAL cbsnews.com
Qaeda stands to gain from Trump strikes on Yemen digitaljournal.com
Yemen al-Qaeda: US says civilians 'likely' killed in raid bbc.co.uk
2017-02-02 02:30 Reuters www.independent.ie
Crowds gathered on Gobbler's Knob for Groundhog Day forecast
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PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) - The handlers of Pennsylvania's most famous groundhog are set to announce whether the rodent will predict an early spring or six more weeks of winter. Members of Punxsutawney Phil's top hat-wearing inner circle plan to reveal their forecast at sunrise, just before 7:30 a.m. Thursday. The festivities have their origin in a German legend that says if a furry rodent casts a shadow on Feb. 2, winter continues. If not, spring comes early. In reality, Phil's prediction is decided ahead of time by the group on Gobbler's Knob, a tiny hill just outside Punxsutawney. That's about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Records dating to 1887 show Phil predicting more winter 102 times while forecasting an early spring just 18 times - including last year. There are no records for the remaining years. Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Groundhog Day 2017: All the Memes Crowds gathered on Gobbler's Knob You Need to See for Groundhog Day forecast heavy.com News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK News, Weather, Video and Sports news9.com
Crowds gathered on Gobbler’s Knob for Groundhog Day forecast wtop.com
2017-02-02 01:28 www.cbs46.com
Iraqis say Trump's travel ban ignores their service to the US
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Omar Hameed plans to strap the legs on when he finally gets the go-ahead to head to Baghdad International Airport with this wife and four children to fly to the United States. Their passports all have clearly marked immigrant visas, issued by the US Embassy in Baghdad on Dec. 20, 2016. But their plans are now on hold following President Trump's executive order imposing a temporary travel ban on citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries , including Iraq. Hameed, 39, lost his legs in 2009, when the Islamic State of Iraq -- the precursor to ISIS -- planted a bomb under the driver's seat of his car. Earlier that day he had attended a farewell ceremony for the US Marines outside his native city of Falluja. The blast was revenge for Hameed's work with the Marines and Iraqi police in what, during the American occupation of Iraq, was Iraq's deadliest city. During his long recovery, Hameed realized he had to leave his homeland. He applied for an immigration visa to the United States under a special refugee program for Iraqis who had worked with or helped the US in Iraq. Iraq differs from other blacklisted countries Trump's travel ban has touched a raw nerve here. "It's disgusting," former Iraqi National Security Advisor Muwafaq Al-Rubaie told me. "It's like spitting in the face of Iraq. " You could argue that Iraq is the odd one out among the seven countries blacklisted by the White House. Unlike Syria, Sudan and Iran, which have a long and troubled history with the US, or Yemen, Libya or Somalia, where war and chaos reign, Iraq has a functioning government with full diplomatic relations with Washington. Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari summoned the US ambassador Monday to protest the ban, saying that Iraq is a victim of terrorism, not a source of it. In a statement issued after the meeting, the Foreign Ministry pointedly noted that some of the foreign jihadis fighting for ISIS in Iraq come from the US and other democratic states, but Iraq hasn't imposed bans on Americans or others. The timing of the ban is perceived as a particular insult at a time when Iraqi casualties are mounting in the offensive to retake Mosul, now into its fourth month. READ: How Trump may be inadvertently helping ISIS But Iraq's options are limited. More than 5,000 US military personnel are in Iraq, providing critical support in the war on ISIS. On Monday the Iraqi parliament voted to impose reciprocal travel restrictions on US citizens. The vote was non-binding, and the government says it's considering what action to take. President Trump defended the travel ban amid mounting criticism this week, tweeting Wednesday that it is "about keeping bad people (with bad intentions) out of the country. " But experts say that the move may only serve to strengthen terrorists. "By validating Islamist extremist narratives of the West being at war with Islam, the ban acts as a powerful recruiting incentive," Julia Ebner and Jonathan Russell, an analyst and head of policy at Quilliam, a counter-extremism think tank in London, wrote in a CNN op-ed. 'Sacrifice and courage' Hameed wasn't interested in critiquing the executive order. He wants to focus on the merits of his case, showing me a list of commendations from his old Marine contacts.
The Marines who worked with Hameed wrote glowing recommendations. "Mr. Hameed's individual sacrifice and unyielding courage is a testament to his patriotism and love for his fellow man," wrote Marine Corps Cpt. Robert Scott. The captain added that Hameed's "actions contributed to an untold number of Iraqi and American lives being saved throughout Falluja and many parts of Anbar Province. " Hameed's first encounter with the Americans didn't start well. "I saw people planting bombs by the side of the street in my neighborhood," he recalls. "I went to the Americans and warned them. They detained me, thinking I was lying. Then they went and checked, and found the bombs. " After that, Hameed became a source of critical intelligence in a city where Americans were the enemy and hundreds lost their lives. Hameed hasn't returned to Falluja since the attempt on his life, and has no plans to return. "I have no future in Iraq, and my children have no future," he says. "If they go back to Falluja, they'll be under threat. People will say 'your father is Omar' and kill them. " His American dream for his children is simple: "I want them to go to a good school, and live a good life. " With the travel ban, Hameed's hopes are fading. "It was a shock, a strong shock," he says. He and his wife underwent multiple interviews, medical examinations and security checks over the last three years. When the visas finally came through, they sold all their possessions, and are now crowded into one bedroom at a relative's house in a Baghdad suburb. When asked how long it would take him and his family to be ready if they get the call to go, he replies without a moment's hesitation. "Ten minutes. " Sitting in his wheelchair at home, Hameed isn't paying attention to the uproar over the ban. Instead, he's watching the calendar. His visa expires in April. If the travel ban remains in place, Hameed worries he'll be back to a very perilous square one.
Google, Apple, Facebook plan to draft joint letter opposing Trump’s travel ban cnbc.com
Trump administration easing travel ban restrictions for green card holders rss.cnn.com
Delis, bodegas to close in protest of Trump travel ban thenewstribune.com
2017-02-02 01:26 Ben Wedeman rss.cnn.com
Trump to Senate: Scrap rules if needed to confirm Gorsuch
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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump urged the Senate’s Republican leader on Wednesday to resort to the “nuclear option” of scrapping longstanding chamber rules if needed to confirm Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, an aggressive opening to what’s shaping up as a ferocious clash over the future of the high court. At the White House a day after nominating Gorsuch, Trump endorsed a scenario that would involve majority Republicans unilaterally changing Senate rules over the objections of the Democratic minority. It could come into play if Democrats try to block Gorsuch’s confirmation with a filibuster, as the liberal base is demanding, and would allow the GOP to confirm Gorsuch with a simple majority instead of the 60 votes now needed. Addressing GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell from the White House, Trump said, “If we end up with that gridlock I would say, ‘If you can, Mitch, go nuclear.‘” He said of Gorsuch that it “would be a absolute shame if a man of this quality was caught up in the web.” Trump made his comments as Gorsuch traversed Capitol Hill, escorted by Vice President Mike Pence and winning extravagant praise from Republican senators.
Democratic divisions were on display. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faced intense opposition from base voters to Trump’s nominee, while political risks confronted a half-dozen Democratic senators representing red states who are up for re-election next year and may feel pressure to support Gorsuch. “The president made an outstanding appointment; we’re all thrilled and looking forward to getting the confirmation process started,” McConnell said as he stood with a smiling Gorsuch in the senator’s ceremonial office in the Capitol. McConnell has not said whether he might invoke the nuclear option if minority Democrats block Gorsuch’s confirmation, but the Senate leader has said repeatedly that, one way or another, Gorsuch will be confirmed. He reiterated that Wednesday evening in an interview on WHAS radio in Kentucky, saying: “Well I appreciate the president’s advice. What I would say to him is what I would say to you: We’re going to get this nominee confirmed and this is the beginning of a lengthy process.” Democrats are still smarting over the treatment of Judge Merrick Garland, former President Barack Obama’s nominee to the court after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia a year ago. McConnell never allowed even a hearing on Garland over 10 months, asserting that the decision was up to the next president. Now some on the left are demanding payback. “This is a stolen seat being filled by an illegitimate and extreme nominee, and I will do everything in my power to stand up against this assault on the court,” said Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon. Schumer reiterated Wednesday that Democrats would insist on a 60-vote threshold for Gorsuch in the 100-member Senate, “not because they did it to us or we did it to them, but because 60 votes produces a mainstream candidate.” But as Schumer and other Democrats made clear, for many the fight was less about the mild-mannered 49-year-old appeals court judge than about Trump himself. Schumer said that “this Supreme Court will be tried in ways that few courts have been tested since the earliest days of the Republic.” Schumer had been invited to meet with Gorsuch on Wednesday but declined so he could learn more about the nominee’s record first. The rules change for Supreme Court nominees would be a momentous departure for the Senate, which traditionally operates day-to-day via deliberation and bipartisan consent. There is concern by some that it could begin to unravel Senate traditions at a hyperpartisan moment in politics and perhaps end up in the complete elimination of the filibuster — resulting in an entirely different Senate from the one that’s existed for decades
Gorsuch is a Denver-based judge on the 10th U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Ivy League-educated son of a former Reagan administration official. His conservative legal philosophy is seen as similar to that of Scalia. Gorsuch would restore the court to the conservative tilt it held with Scalia on the bench, but Trump’s choice “makes it very difficult for Democrats to contest this nomination because he is so qualified,” said Melissa Murray, interim dean of the University of California at Berkeley law school. Republicans were quick to highlight the political risks to Democrats in conservative-leaning states. There are 23 Senate Democrats up for election next year, 10 in states Trump won. “The minority needs to decide whether or not they want to go to states like North Dakota and Montana and Missouri and Indiana and West Virginia where Mr. Trump won by 17 points or more and talk to the real people there and say ‘we’re going to stop what was clearly your will,‘” said GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. One of those senators, Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia, met with Gorsuch late Wednesday, telling reporters with the judge at his side: “What I look for in any jurist, especially a jurist at this level, is someone who follows the law.” Manchin said character and quality should count, and “politics shouldn’t intervene with that.”
For Democrats, there was debate about whether Gorsuch’s nomination to replace the like-minded Scalia was the right time to launch an all-out fight over the court. Or, would Democrats be better off waiting to wage that battle for another possible high court opening during Trump’s presidency, one that could shift the court markedly to the right.
Trump tells Senate leader to ‘go nuclear,’ if needed, to confirm Gorsuch pressherald.com
Senate confirms Tillerson to be Trump's secretary of state news24.com
2017-02-02 02:18 By Erica www.post-gazette.com
Trump, Tillerson and the South China Sea: What's at stake
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President Donald Trump says the former Exxon CEO will bring "a clear-eyed focus to foreign affairs. " He'll need it. The contested waters are a crucial shipping route and home a messy territorial dispute that pits multiple countries against each other. Tensions have ratcheted up since 2014 as China has turned sandbars into islands, equipping them with airfields, ports and weapons systems and warned US warships and aircraft to stay away from them. Adding fuel to this heady mix, the Trump administration looks set to take a much more confrontational stance toward China than its predecessor. During his confirmation hearing, Tillerson said China should be blocked from accessing the artificial islands it's built, setting the stage for a potential showdown. Here's what's at stake: Who claims what? China bases its claims on the "nine-dash line" -- its claimed territorial waters that extend hundreds of miles to the south and east of its island province of Hainan, abut its neighbors' claims and, in some cases, encroach upon them. The Paracel Islands (Xisha to Beijing) have been controlled by China since 1974, but they are also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. Tensions flared in 2014 when China installed exploratory oil rigs in the vicinity. The situation is more complicated in the Spratlys, which Beijing calls the Nansha islands. The archipelago consists of 100 smalls islands and reefs of which 45 are occupied by China, Malaysia, Vietnam or the Philippines. All of the islands are claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam, while some of them (or nearby waters) are claimed by the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. What's China been building? In early 2014, China quietly began massive dredging operations centering on the seven reefs it controls in the Spratly Islands -- Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef, Mischief Reef, Cuarteron Reef, Gaven Reef and Hughes Reef. According to the US, China has reclaimed more than 3,000 acres since the beginning of 2014. On his 2015 trip to Washington, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China wouldn't militarize the islands, but a December report from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) said China had installed comprehensive weapons systems on seven reefs that include anti-aircraft guns. Some have called the islands China's "unsinkable aircraft carriers. " Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan have also reclaimed land in the South China Sea, but their land grab -- the US says approximately 100 acres over 45 years -- is dwarfed by China's massive, recent buildup. What's the US view? It could be changing.
The US has traditionally taken no position on the territorial disputes in the South China Sea but has repeatedly asserted its right to freedom of navigation in the disputed waters, with the US military flying and sailing its assets close to the islands China controls. Tillerson and Trump have not minced their words on the issue, suggesting that the State Department could take a more muscular approach. "Building islands and then putting military assets on those islands is akin to Russia's taking of Crimea. Its taking of territory that others lay claim to," Tillerson said in his confirmation hearing. "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. " Blocking Chinese naval vessels from accessing South China Sea reefs would almost certainly trigger a US-China clash, says Ashley Townshend, a research fellow at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. "More to the point: as many of the reefs are effectively a part of international waters, preventing Chinese ships from sailing to or near them would undermine the very freedom of navigation rules that the US has been trying to uphold," he adds. What could China do? As China stretches its muscles as a growing superpower, the South China Sea, rich in oil and gas reserves, has become a testing ground for whether the country will rise as part of the existing international order or outside it. China says both the Paracels and the Spratlys are an "integral part" of its territory, offering up maps that date back to the early 20th century. It has repeatedly defended its right to build both civil and defensive facilities on the islands it controls. In December, a Chinese warship unlawfully seized an underwater drone from a US oceanographic vessel. One new strategy could be to declare an air defense zon e in the South China Sea, which would require all aircraft to file flight plans even if they don't enter Chinese airspace. Beijing has also ignored a landmark ruling last year by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague , which said there was no legal basis for China's maritime claims. Even though they now have international law on their side, other claimants have done little to challenge Beijing. The Philippines, which originally brought the case, has pivoted towards Beijing under President Rodrigo Duterte. Beijing's response to Tillerson and Trump's comments to date has been fairly muted, but some analysts think Beijing could soon test the new US commander in chief.
Steve Bannon: 'we're going to war in the South China Sea ... no doubt' scmp.com
Senate confirms Tillerson to be Trump's secretary of state news24.com
2017-02-02 02:15 Katie Hunt rss.cnn.com
Rex Tillerson is confirmed as secretary of state amid record opposition
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WASHINGTON — Rex Tillerson, the former chairman and chief executive of Exxon Mobil, was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday in a 56-to-43 vote to become the nation’s 69th secretary of state just as serious strains have emerged with important international allies.
The votes against Mr. Tillerson’s confirmation were the most in Senate history for a secretary of state, a reflection of Democratic unease with President Donald Trump’s early foreign policy pronouncements that threaten to upend a multilateral approach that has guided United States presidents since World War II. Thirteen senators voted in 2005 against Condoleezza Rice in the midst of a deteriorating Iraq war, and in 1825, Henry Clay was confirmed 27 to 14, the record for votes against until Wednesday, according to a tally provided by the Senate Historical Office. In a brief swearing-in ceremony in the Oval Office on Wednesday evening, Mr. Trump said Mr. Tillerson understood “the importance of strengthening our alliances and forming new alliances to enhance our strategic interests and the safety of our people.” Mr. Trump added, “It’s time to bring a clear-eyed focus on foreign affairs, to take a fresh look at the world around us, and to seek new solutions grounded in very ancient truths.” Mr. Tillerson thanked him and promised to “represent the interests of all of the American people at all times.” Mr. Tillerson is expected to appear at the State Department’s Foggy Bottom headquarters on Thursday morning, when he will address department employees.
Mr. Trump’s unapologetically nationalistic approach has put into question the value of many alliances and multilateral institutions. How Mr. Tillerson’s translates Mr. Trump’s vow of “America First” into the kind of polite diplomatic parlance that will maintain vital ties will be a significant test. Among his other challenges are dealing with Mr. Trump’s promises to recast relations with China and Russia, move the American Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, and re-examine an international nuclear deal with Iran. In a White House briefing on Wednesday, Michael Flynn, the national security adviser, issued a stern warning to Iran. “The Obama administration failed to respond adequately to Tehran’s malign actions,” he said.
Mr. Tillerson, 64, a Texan, earned an engineering degree from the University of Texas at Austin, got a job at Exxon in 1975 and climbed his way to the top, leaving only last year. Neither a diplomat, soldier nor politician, he is an unconventional choice for the job, but has vast international experience. With operations on six continents, Exxon Mobil is in some ways a state within a state. As its chief executive, Mr. Tillerson struck deals with repressive governments — in at least one case, against the advice of the State Department. Environmentalists largely opposed his nomination. But his views on international affairs are in many ways more conventional than those of Mr. Trump, which is why even Democratic-leaning foreign affairs experts said they welcomed his selection in hopes he would bring ballast to a turbulent administration. “Rex Tillerson will have the most demanding and complex agenda to face a secretary of state in a very long time,” said R. Nicholas Burns, a Harvard professor and career foreign service officer. Another crucial question will be how much influence Mr. Tillerson has on Mr. Trump. All cabinet secretaries must compete for power with White House aides who have long personal relationships with and frequent access to the president. But Mr. Trump’s reliance on a close circle of advisers to write and vet executive orders while keeping departments that must implement them largely in the dark is without precedent. Mr. Trump invited Mr. Tillerson for a private lunch at the White House on Wednesday, the first time Mr. Tillerson has appeared on the president’s official schedule. Mollifying allies infuriated by Mr. Trump’s orders could be a full-time job. A ban on refugee arrivals and entries from seven Muslim countries, for instance, has enraged Iraqi officials whose cooperation is vital in the fight against the Islamic State — a top administration priority. It has also infuriated many European leaders crucial to efforts not only in Syria, but Afghanistan and Libya as well, and it has tarnished what had been viewed as a successful trip by Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain, who on Monday said she opposed the ban. Relations with Mexico have plunged to their lowest level in decades after Mr. Trump insisted he would build a border wall regardless of Mexican opposition. The relationship with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany threatened to become toxic after Peter Navarro, the director of Mr. Trump’s new National Trade Council, denounced the relatively low value of the euro as an unfair currency advantage for Germany. “Tillerson faces the most difficult task of any secretary of state in the postwar era in trying to reconcile President Trump’s intention to make a stark break from decades of bipartisan consensus U. S. foreign policy leadership with the reality that, if he succeeds, such a break could lead to global chaos,” said Ryan Crocker, who served as the United States ambassador to five Muslim countries. Mr. Tillerson may also face difficult internal hurdles. Much of his department’s top leadership has departed — many because the Trump administration, like others before it, refused to keep political appointees. But the Trump transition team has been so shorthanded and the pickings among Republican foreign policy veterans who had not criticized Mr. Trump so slim that dozens of positions are likely to remain empty for some time. More worrisome, morale among the department’s rank-and-file career officers has plunged, with a dissent memo against the administration’s refugee and entry bans being submitted on Tuesday garnering more than 900 signatures, an extraordinary number. Whether Mr. Tillerson meets these challenges with defiance or moderation will be a telling indication of his leadership. Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, said Monday that foreign service officers “can get with the program or they can go.”
Hundreds of U. S. diplomats warn that travel ban makes U. S. less safe cbsnews.com
Senate confirms Tillerson to be Trump's secretary of state news24.com
2017-02-02 00:55 By Gardiner www.post-gazette.com
US: A nation of immigrants, but ambivalent about immigration
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America's self-image is forever intertwined with the melting pot. It's a nation that welcomes the world's wretched refuse, a nation built by immigrants, a nation whose very motto is "E Pluribus Unum" — Out of Many, One. America's history also is replete with efforts to shut the golden door to arrivals from China, from Eastern and Southern Europe — and most recently, from predominantly Muslim nations. America's relationship with immigration is ... complicated.
"Many of us — politicians, people who are speaking out against the impact of the administration's actions — are saying, 'We are a nation of immigrants. This goes against our most important values.' And that is absolutely true," said Erika Lee, director of the Immigration History Research Center at the University of Minnesota. "But we also have a long record of barring immigrants, denigrating them, building walls. That's the flip side. " Said Mae Ngai, a professor of history at Columbia University and author of "Impossible Subjects: Illegal Aliens and the Making of Modern America": "We struggle over these things. Both strains have always been present. "
The leaders of colonial America knew they needed immigrants to populate their new land. But Benjamin Franklin grumbled about an influx of "swarthy" Germans, and the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 made it harder to attain citizenship and easier to deport non-citizens deemed dangerous. The acts were controversial; most were allowed to expire in a few years, but the deportation law remains, even today. And their justification — that some or many immigrants were dangerous interlopers — has been invoked again and again. The rise of the Know Nothings, a nativist and populist movement of the 1840s and '50s, was spurred by the rise in German and Irish immigration, and by fears that the Catholic newcomers were loyal to a foreign entity — the pope — and incompatible with American values. "If you substitute 'Muslim' for 'Catholic,' they would sound very similar to what you hear today," Lee said. In 1868, the U. S. signed a treaty encouraging Chinese migration; 24 years later, the Chinese Exclusion Act turned away immigrants from what was even then the world's most populous nation. What had happened in between? The Chinese immigrants who had shouldered much of the work of building the West had come to be seen as a threat — the "Yellow Peril. " Fear and bigotry were intermixed. In 1917, Congress passed legislation requiring a literacy test for immigrants, though only after four presidential vetoes. "They knew they couldn't say, 'Keep out the Jews and the Italians,'" but that was the purpose, Ngai said. In 1921 and 1924, in the aftermath of World War I and the Red Scares that followed the Russian Revolution, the first quotas took effect, setting limits for immigration from countries that were seen as undesirable. There was to be little immigration from Africa, none from Asia or Arab countries, and the flow from southern and eastern Europe was curtailed. Jewish refugees from Europe were blocked during and after World War II — first because of fears that they might be German sympathizers, then because of fears that they were Communists. "History doesn't look too kindly on this, because we know how preposterous this was," said Rebecca Kobrin, an assistant professor of history at Columbia. But for all Americans' suspicions of immigrants, said Maria Cristina Garcia, professor of American studies at Cornell University, there has been an appreciation of what they did. "Since the early republic, Americans have recognized that immigrants are essential to nation-building: Immigrants farmed the prairies, worked in the factories, built the streets, canals and railroad tracks. They mined the ore, planted and harvested the crops, and provided basic services. Government and business actively recruited foreign labor to facilitate economic growth," she said. As hard as it often was — and as much bigotry as immigrants endured — immigration became central to the American narrative. "It's fundamental," said William Thiesen, 37, a New Yorker visiting the city's Tenement Museum on Tuesday. "I think being an American is being an immigrant. It's the American fabric. We're all immigrants. " It was Israel Zangwell, a British writer, who dubbed America "the Melting Pot" in his 1908 play of the same name. His Russian-Jewish immigrant hero proclaims: "what is the glory of Rome and Jerusalem where all nations and races come to worship and look back, compared with the glory of America, where all races and nations come to labour and look forward! " More than 100 years later, despite some apprehensions of the moment, that feeling persists. "America has been the dream for every educated young person," said Sontu Barua, a government employee in the sprawling Indian city of Lucknow. "It remains a land of opportunity. " More than 700,000 citizenship applications were filed from October 2015 to June 2016, about 25 percent more than the year before. The U. S. issued more than 10 million visas in 2015. But the United States is far less inviting than it once was: The number of immigrants obtaining legal permanent resident status in 2010 was just over a million — almost precisely the same number as it was a hundred years earlier, when the population was less than a third of what it is now. American ambivalence is reflected in the Statue of Liberty. Emma Lazarus's "The New Colossus," with its siren call to "your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore," is inscribed on a tablet in the statue's base. Lady Liberty herself, a gift from France to commemorate the American and French revolutions, is not placed to welcome immigrants. "She faces the city," said Columbia's Ngai. "She doesn't face the arrivals. "
About 70 anti-Trump protesters arrested at Ohio University washingtontimes.com
Google, Apple, Facebook plan to draft joint letter opposing Trump’s travel ban cnbc.com
2017-02-02 01:14 By JERRY www.thenewstribune.com
More than 100 injured in fire at Philippines factory complex
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MANILA, Philippines (AP) - More than 100 workers, including three Japanese, were injured and at least three were missing in a fire that hit a huge factory south of Manila and sent thousands of employees running to safety, an official said Thursday. The fire at the House Technology Industries was under control but has not been fully extinguished nearly 18 hours after it started in General Trias town in Cavite province south of Manila, said Gov. Jesus Crispin Remulla. Firefighters hope to enter and inspect the factory later Thursday. About 10 of the injured were in critical condition, Remulla told ABS-CBN TV news, adding some employees jumped from windows to escape the blaze at the three-story building where pre-fabricated house parts are manufactured for export to Japan. The fire apparently started in a section where a machine used to manufacture house insulation materials overheated, he said. A third of about 15,000 employees were on duty when the fire struck and company officials were doing a count to find out if any more were missing at the sprawling factory compound located in a special economic zone in General Trias, about 26 kilometers (16 miles) south of Manila. In 2015, a fire that rapidly spread in a rubber slipper factory in a northern Manila suburb killed 72 people, prompting then President Benigno Aquino III to order a thorough inspection of some 300,000 factories in metropolitan Manila alone. He ordered charges to be filed against the owners of the Kentex Manufacturing Corp. and local officials, who he said ignored the factory's failure to meet safety requirements. The Kentex fire was one of the worst in the country after a 1996 disco blaze that killed 162 people in Manila. Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
More than 100 injured in blaze at Philippines factory complex scmp.com
More than 100 injured in fire at huge factory in Philippines heraldonline.com
2017-02-02 03:56 www.cbs46.com
Trump 'takes medication which STIMULATES hair growth'
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President Donald Trump's doctor Harold Bornstein claims the president takes a medication which stimulates hair growth. The president's longtime physician revealed the information about the prostate-related drug and other medications he says Trump takes to The New York Times over several interviews. Trump, 70, reportedly takes a small dose of finasteride. The drug, sold as Propecia, lowers prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and is used for treating male-pattern hair loss, the newspaper explained. President Donald Trump's doctor Harold Bornstein claims the president takes a medication which stimulates hair growth. Trump is pictured in December 2016 Bornstein, the president's longtime physician, revealed the information about the prostate-related drug and other medications he says Trump takes to The New York Times Bornstein told the Times that he, too, takes the drug, saying it helped him keep his shoulder-length locks and helped Trump keep his own hair. The doctor said: 'He has all his hair. I have all my hair.' Trump also takes antibiotics for rosacea, a statin for elevated blood cholesterol and lipid levels, and a baby aspirin every day so as to lower heart attack risk, the report said. Trump's PSA level was 0.15, Bornstein said in two letters he'd written about Trump's health. The first letter came out in December 2015, followed by the other letter in September 2016. The drug, sold as Propecia, lowers prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and is used for treating male-pattern hair loss. Trump is pictured on Tuesday in this photograph The level prompted urologists - who weren't linked to Trump - to say he had to have received care for an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer, according to the Times. Bornstein told the outlet that the commander-in-chief hasn't had an enlarged prostate nor prostate cancer, and attributed Trump's PSA level to Propecia. The White House declined commenting on Bornstein's information and if the gastroenterologist remains the president's doctor, the newspaper wrote. A White House spokeswoman did not immediately respond to an email message seeking comment from DailyMail.com.
Donald Trump’s Longtime Doctor Says President Takes Hair-Growth Drug nytimes.com
President Trump Takes a HairGrowth Drug, According to His Doctor feedproxy.google.com
2017-02-02 03:27 Zoe Szathmary www.dailymail.co.uk
Golden State Warriors rout Charlotte Hornets, whose losing streak is now six
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Stephen Curry showed no mercy to his hometown team. Golden State Warriors superstar Curry grew up in Charlotte and played for Davidson. He often saves his best games for the Hornets. Wednesday he scored 39 points without playing the fourth quarter of a 126-111 victory at Oracle Arena. Curry made 11 of his 15 3-point attempts. The Warriors led by as many as 32 points. The Hornets never led. The victory improved the Warriors’ NBA-best record to 42-7. The Hornets lost their sixth consecutive game, falling to 23-27. Hornets reserve power forward Frank Kaminsky scored a career-high 24 points. Hornets All-Star point guard Kemba Walker finished with just seven points on 1-of-5 shooting and sat out the fourth quarter. Klay Thompson added 29 for the Warriors. The Hornets complete a three-game West Coast trip with a Saturday game against the Utah Jazz. Curry: Making eight 3s in a game is spectacular. Making eight 3s in a half is preposterous. Thompson: He might have finished with a triple-double if the Warriors had needed him to get one. Kaminsky: Two consecutive strong games after he also played well in Portland Tuesday. A cool moment pre-game: Stephen Curry threw a ball at his dad near mid-court. Dell grabbed it in and launched a shot from his chest at the basket. Bank and swish. Always nice to remind your kid where he got his talent. Hornets coach Steve Clifford chose to start Spencer Hawes at center, instead of Roy Hibbert. In the second quarter, the Hornets went small with Kaminsky at center. Hibbert never played. Midway through the second quarter, the Warriors had made 13 of 25 3-point attempts. The Hornets had made 1-of-11 from 3. By halftime, Curry had made eight of 10 attempts from 3-point range. He had 26 points as did Thompson. This was the Warriors’ sixth consecutive victory against the Hornets. Hawes drew a technical foul – his fourth this season – for bumping Warriors forward Draymond Green in the left shoulder during a free-throw attempt. The Warriors played without center Zaza Pachuilia, diagnosed as having a right rotator cuff strain. JaVale McGee started in place of Pachulia. Warriors point guard (and former Charlotte Bobcat) Shaun Livingston missed the game with a back strain. B OFFENSE: They bounced back from making just one of their first 11 3-pointers. F DEFENSE: The Warriors toyed with the Hornets in the first half, making 56 percent from the field and 52 percent from 3-point range. C- COACHING: This was an inevitable loss, but it didn’t have to be a rout.
Splash Bros go off as Warriors jump Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors the Hornets rain threes on Charlotte Hornets sfexaminer.com upi.com 2017-02-02 02:02 By Rick www.charlotteobserver.com
House votes to repeal SEC rule on US energy company payments to foreign govts — RT America
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The joint resolution passed on Wednesday, overturns rules that would have required oil, gas, and mining companies to disclose payments made to foreign governments including: fees, taxes, royalties, entitlements, bonuses, and other benefits. The SEC rules were adopted on June 27, 2016, as a part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform, and were set to go into effect on September 30, 2018. By increasing transparency, the SEC said they would help “ combat global corruption and empower citizens of resource-rich countries to hold their governments accountable for the wealth generated by those resources. ” Under the rules, an issuer was required to disclose payments that exceeded $100,000 in a fiscal year. The SEC estimated that 755 companies would have been affected by the rules. With a majority in the House, Republican lawmakers were able to repeal the rule with a simple majority using the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress 60 days to overturn any major rules before they go into effect. In an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California) justified rolling back the regulations, saying they would add an “ unreasonable compliance burden on American energy companies that isn’t applied to their foreign competitors. ” However, transparency advocates have argued that Exxon and Chevron are not listed on the European exchanges, so they would not have to comply with the EU’s own disclosure rules, giving them an advantage over foreign companies. " To roll it back would be a complete abdication of US initiative and leadership on issues of corruption, " Daniel Kaufmann, president of the Natural Resource Governance Institute, an international transparency watchdog, told Bloomberg . The SEC notes that the Canadian government and European Union understood the benefits when they adopted their own disclosure requirements. Industry leaders also acknowledged the benefits as stakeholders in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) After the resolution passed, Fredrik Reinfeldt, Chair of the EITI, wrote a statement in opposition, saying, “ The SEC took great care in drafting these rules in consultation with industry to ensure that they complement the EITI’s efforts and avoid unnecessary duplication. I would urge Congress to consider this matter thoroughly, and to ensure that any action does not undermine the hard-won gains in this arena. ”
GOP House votes to reject stream protection rule rss.cnn.com
House votes to void Obama rules on mining, drilling payments post-gazette.com
2017-02-02 00:59 www.rt.com
Myanmar police arrest 2nd suspect in lawyer's assassination
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Myanmar police have arrested a man they say is a conspirator behind the assassination of a longtime legal adviser of the country's leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Myint Swe was arrested on Monday in southeastern Karen state that borders Thailand. Police alleged he hired the suspected gunman, Kyi Lin, who was arrested right after he shot Ko Ni in the head at close range at the Yangon airport on Sunday and tried to flee.
Ko Ni was a prominent Muslim lawyer who advised Suu Kyi's ruling National League for Democracy party. He specialized in constitutional law, criticizing army interference in politics and advising Suu Kyi's party how to try to get around statutes in the army-imposed constitution that gave the military undue power in the government democratically elected in 2015. He was also an advocate for the Muslim minority in the overwhelmingly Buddhist country, a position that earned him the enmity of ultra-nationalist Buddhist monks and their allies. Police said Myint Swe had been interrogated since Monday but refused to disclose any details. They said an initial interrogation of Kyi Lin showed that the killing was aimed at destabilizing the state. They did not elaborate. Government officials have described the gunman as an ex-convict who had been imprisoned for illegally trading in Buddha's statutes.
Police arrest Harlem man suspected of mugging three women in Central Park feeds.nydailynews.com
Myanmar Police Arrest 2nd Suspect in Lawyer's Assassination abcnews.go.com
2017-02-02 03:46 The Associated www.thenewstribune.com
Israeli forces nearly finished evacuating West Bank outpost
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Israeli police say they are preparing to remove the last remaining Israeli protesters from the West Bank outpost of Amona, which forces are evacuating under court order.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says about 200 protesters are barricaded inside a synagogue. He says several hundred police officers are preparing to remove them Thursday, as well as others inside a small home nearby. The evacuation began Wednesday. Amona is the largest of about 100 unauthorized outposts erected in the West Bank without formal permission but with tacit Israeli government support. The outpost was found to be built on private Palestinian land and the Israeli Supreme Court ordered it demolished. The evacuation came amid bold new settlement moves by Israel's government, which has been buoyed by the election of President Donald Trump.
Israeli police drag settlers, cursing and praying, out of West Bank homes scmp.com
Israel evacuates West Bank outpost amid new settlement binge post-gazette.com
2017-02-02 03:36 The Associated www.thenewstribune.com
Trump says Frederick Douglass did ‘an amazing job’
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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump singled out one of the most renowned figures in American history Wednesday with the type of praise he might normally reserve for a quality subcontractor on one of his development projects. “Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job that is being recognized more and more, I notice,” Trump said during a Black History Month listening session at the White House. “Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and millions more black Americans who made America what it is today. Big impact. I’m proud to honor this heritage. And we’ll be honoring it more and more.” Douglass, who escaped slavery to become a leading abolitionist and social thinker, died in 1895. His life story is a staple of most grade-school curricula. Trump was recognizing him as someone whose impact is highlighted in the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the newest major Smithsonian museum to open in Washington. “I am very proud now that we have a museum on the National Mall where people can learn about (the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.), so many other things,” Trump said before noting the interest in Douglass. During the event, Mr. Trump also teed off on the media, calling CNN “fake news” and once again decrying a false report that he had removed a bust of Martin Luther King Jr. from the Oval Office. The president also repeated claims that American communities are not safe, and called Chicago “totally out of control.” The Washington Post and The New York Times contributed.
NMAAHC screens film 'I Am Not Your Negro' rssfeeds.wusa9.com
Pres. Trump: Frederick Douglass 'as done an amazing job' msnbc.com
2017-02-02 02:37 By Noah www.post-gazette.com
Attorneys: Briles drops libel suit against Baylor officials
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Former Baylor football coach Art Briles has dropped the defamation lawsuit filed against four university officials he accused of making false statements against him, according to attorneys in the case. Briles in December sued the three regents and a university vice president for libel and slander, claiming they falsely stated that he knew of reported assaults and alleged gang rapes by players and didn't report them. Rusty Hardin, an attorney for the regents, told the Waco Tribune-Herald that the suit was dropped Wednesday. The lawsuit that was filed in Llano County also asserted that Baylor officials conspired to damage Briles' reputation and keep him from getting another coaching job. It sought damages for emotional distress and likely ending his career as a coach "on any level. " Briles' attorney, Ernest Cannon, told KWTX-TV of Waco on Wednesday, that the lawsuit was never about money. Cannon told the station he was sorry the issue didn't get resolved "for all the Baylor people, so they could know the truth. " The attorney said Briles wanted some peace in his life and to put as much distance as possible between his family and Baylor. In a response they filed with the court last month, Reagan Ramower, chief operating officer for Baylor, and three regents, including Chairman Ronald Murff, said as a public figure Briles would bear the responsibility of proving any falsehood. The four men had requested a jury trial. Briles was fired last May after an investigation determined Baylor mishandled reports of alleged sexual and physical assaults, some by football players. Briles has denied he knew about and failed to report alleged assaults. The lawsuit accused the regents and Ramsower of spreading false information through media interviews with Texas and national outlets on the advice of a media relations firm that wasn't named as a defendant. Regents first told The Wall Street Journal in October that 17 women had reported domestic violence or sexual assaults that involved 19 football players since 2011, including four gang rapes. Those figures had never been disclosed to Briles when he was fired or during his settlement after he sued for wrongful termination, the former coach's lawsuit said. In a federal lawsuit filed against the university last week, a former Baylor student said she was raped by two football players and alleged there were at least 52 rapes by more than 30 football players over a four-year period.
Art Briles drops libel lawsuit against Baylor officials rssfeeds.usatoday.com 2017-02-02 01:26 The Associated www.heraldonline.com
Kansas man finds golden beer can, wins Super Bowl tickets for life
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Wichita, Kan. — A person who wants to land tickets to the Super Bowl needs to be willing to pay a hefty price- unless that person is Lyle Randa. Randa, a Wichita, Kansas resident, won Super Bowl tickets for life after buying a case of beer at his local liquor store. The case of Bud Light beer had a special golden can inside. Randa was surprised, as was the owner of the store that sold the beer. “For us, it was kind of exciting and it was a surprise, especially since we’re a brand new store. We just opened up in November,” said store owner Manuel Osorio. “I’m excited more than you even know, more than you can imagine,” Randa said. Beginning this year, Anheuser Busch will fly Randa and his wife to the game.
Man buys beer, wins Super Bowl tickets for life nypost.com 2017-02-02 00:09 WRAL www.wral.com
Senate showdown over Trump’s nominees escalates
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WASHINGTON -- Senate Republicans moved aggressively Wednesday to push through several of President Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees, the latest round in an escalating showdown with Democrats trying to thwart President Trump's administration.
Republicans lashed out angrily at Democrats trying to stall the president's nominees at the committee level, suspending the rules to approve two nominees, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., for secretary of health and human services and Steve Mnuchin to lead the Treasury. Republicans also advanced the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., for attorney general, and the GOP-controlled Senate finalized confirmation of former Exxon Mobil chief executive Rex Tillerson for secretary of state by a vote of 56 to 43. The day was not without setbacks for Republicans, however. Two GOP senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, signaled that they did not plan to support the president's nominee for education secretary, Betsy DeVos -- leaving Democrats one vote shy of the number needed to doom her nomination. Both senators cited their uncertainty about whether DeVos, an avid supporter of charter schools and school vouchers, was sufficiently committed to helping public schools. The drama on Capitol Hill unfolded at a time when Democrats, under intense pressure from liberal activists, have become increasingly emboldened to block Trump's agenda and appointees. Democrats were enraged by the administration's executive order issued over the weekend to bar travel to the United States by those from seven majority-Muslim countries. They galvanized around the firing of acting Attorney General Sally Yates, who was dismissed for refusing to enforce the ban. And some Democrats were also angered by the president's nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court on Tuesday night, arguing that Republicans cannot expect them to swiftly approve the selection after their blockade last year of Barack Obama's nominee, Judge Merrick Garland.
Lawmakers began meeting with Gorsuch on Wednesday. Although several moderate Democrats said they remained open to the federal appeals judge, other Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer of New York, vowed to block him with a filibuster, which Republicans would need 60 votes to overcome.
Several Democrats did side with Republicans to approve Tillerson, including senators from states that Trump won during the election. Democratic Sens. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Mark Warner of Virginia supported Tillerson, as did independent Sen. Angus King of Maine. There is little Democrats can do to prevent final confirmation of any of Trump's picks because the GOP needs only 51 votes in the full Senate and there are 52 Republican senators.
With Tillerson, six high-ranking Trump nominees have been approved by the full Senate: Elaine Chao as transportation secretary; retired generals John Kelly and Jim Mattis at the Department of Homeland Security and the Pentagon; Mike Pompeo to lead the CIA; and Nikki Haley as U. S. ambassador to the United Nations. In the Senate Judiciary Committee, Republicans celebrated Sessions' approval on a party-line vote of 11-9, with Democrats present and opposing his nomination. "Senator Sessions has devoted his life to public service, and his qualifications cannot be questioned," Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, said in a statement following the Sessions vote. "He has a history of protecting and defending the Constitution and the rule of law for all people. " But a committee hearing to approve Trump's pick for the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt, was delayed after Democrats failed to show up. So was a hearing to vet Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S. C., to lead the Office of Management and Budget, although the delay happened before the panel convened. And on Tuesday, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved the nominations of former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to be energy secretary and Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., to be interior secretary. Republicans came to the aid of Trump's nominees after Democrats dipped into their procedural arsenal to stall many of them at committee hearings on Monday, echoing growing liberal anger in the streets. "Democrats are going to keep fighting back," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. "We are going to stand with people across the country. And we will keep pushing Republicans to put country above party and stand with us. " That stance was met with praise from liberal activists, labor unions and constituents.
"We're seeing someone who came into office with a historic popular vote loss come in and push a radical, unconstitutional agenda," said Kurt Walters, the campaign director of the transparency group Demand Progress. "Yes, radical and bold tactics are what senators should be using in response. "
At the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday morning, Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, rammed through Mnuchin and Price after Democrats did not show up for that hearing. Their nominations head to the Senate floor for up-or-down votes, although it was unclear when those votes would occur. "Republicans on this committee showed up to do our jobs. Yesterday, rather than accept anything less than their desired outcome, our Democrat colleagues chose to cower in the hallway and hold a press conference," Hatch charged. Incensed by the Democratic boycott, GOP members spent Tuesday exploring how they could quickly approve Price and Mnuchin and punish Democrats for their surprise move. Committee staffers scoured the panel's lengthy rule book and discovered it permitted the majority party to temporarily suspend the rules and meet without Democrats. Hatch said he consulted the Senate parliamentarian, who serves as a referee on all disputes in committees and on the Senate floor, who said doing so was within bounds. After weeks of back-and-forth about Trump's nominees, "the boycott was the last straw," said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., who pushed staffers to explore their options. Kelsey Snell, David Weigel and Ed O'Keefe, The Washington Post
Senate confirms Tillerson to be Trump's secretary of state news24.com 2017-02-02 01:34 Wire Services www.dallasnews.com
Red, blue states split over Trump's 'sanctuary city' order
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President Donald Trump's promised crackdown on "sanctuary cities" has triggered divergent actions from blue and red states, revealing the deep national divide on immigration as some move to follow his order and others break with the U. S. government to protect immigrants in the country illegally. California, the nation's largest state, is pushing for a statewide sanctuary that would prohibit law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, while a fellow U. S.-Mexico border state, Texas, is seeking to withhold funding from cities with the policies. Trump's recent executive orders threatening to withhold federal funding from communities with sanctuary policies and calling for a border wall have produced widespread protests and fears that more immigration restrictions are in the future. The president's supporters have hailed the efforts.
Cities have mostly taken up sanctuary laws. There's no official definition, but often they tell police not to inquire about the immigration status of those they arrest or they decline requests from immigration officials to keep defendants in custody while they await deportation. But liberal states like California would not be the first to block police from enforcing federal immigration law. Oregon pioneered statewide sanctuary in a 1987 law, when immigrant workers and their families were sometimes housed in appalling conditions despite their importance to agricultural profits. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said she will enforce that law. "They mow our lawns. They pick our grapes," Brown said last week. "They take care of our children and they take care of our seniors, and I want to make sure they feel welcome in Oregon. " Advocates say the laws ensure people in the country illegally will come forward to report crimes without fear of deportation. Opponents cite concerns about crime, including the shooting death of Kate Steinle in San Francisco. Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, who was in the country illegally after multiple deportations to his native Mexico, has been charged with murder.
San Francisco reaffirmed its commitment to sanctuary polices by suing Trump on Tuesday, the same day California state senators advanced legislation that would provide money for lawyers for immigrants facing deportation and hamper any attempt to create a Muslim registry. The state is home to an estimated 2.3 million immigrants in the country illegally. "We want to make sure that police officers don't abandon their beat and go enforce immigration laws," said Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon of Los Angeles. Some California Republicans fought back. State Sen. Jeff Stone voted against the measure, saying, "I think this bill is making it that much more difficult for the federal authorities to get the most dangerous criminals that we want to deport to keep our communities safe. " Three states away, Texas' Republican governor, Greg Abbott, embraced Trump's order, saying the administration is showing the potential to secure the border. He instructed lawmakers to send him a bill by June that punishes local governments that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Abbott wants to withhold taxpayer money to cities that don't detain immigrants and to remove locally elected officials if they don't comply.
Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez, who runs the jails in the liberal enclave of Austin, plans this week to stop honoring all federal immigration requests to detain suspects and only comply with requests to hold those accused of murder, aggravated sexual assault and human trafficking. Abbott responded by blocking $1.5 million in criminal justice grants to the county. Idaho also is moving to enforce Trump's order, though the state has no sanctuary cities. A bill this week would hold back taxpayer money. The actions come in a different political climate from when Oregon instituted its statewide protections. The governor's office said Oregon has not faced any federal reprisals over the years but that it could change. Gov. Brown said she would fight for Oregon's law, including taking legal action, if Washington tries to withhold federal funding as leverage. The law means immigrants can go to police when they are a victim of a crime or witness one, without fearing deportation, said Jann Carson, associate director of the ACLU of Oregon. "The biggest result is that Oregon police have not participated in INS, now ICE, raids on migrant farms, apartment buildings, roadblocks," Carson said. She said immigrants here illegally can't receive welfare benefits but that many pay taxes. The Social Security Administration estimated immigrants and their employers paid $13 billion in payroll taxes in 2010. Former lawmaker Dick Springer helped pass Oregon's measure 30 years ago. He said it was driven by unsanitary and crowded living conditions for migrant workers and the agriculture industry's dependence on those workers. "We were aware of really atrocious conditions for farmworkers ... 50 people would be living in a barn," Springer said in a telephone interview Tuesday. The 1987 measure received bipartisan support. Asked if it makes Oregon a sanctuary state, Springer said that was his intent. "We're not going to hassle people that want to make a living and are contributing to our economy," he said, choking up with emotion. "They have a very strong work ethic. They have commitment to faith and to family. Those are the families we cherish, embrace and welcome. " ___ Associated Press reporters Jonathan J. Cooper in Sacramento, California; Kimberlee Kruesi in Boise, Idaho; Paul J. Weber and David Saleh Rauf in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report.
Google, Apple, Facebook plan to draft joint letter opposing Trump’s travel ban cnbc.com 2017-02-02 04:05 By ANDREW www.charlotteobserver.com
Man Charged In Robbery, Attempted Sexual Assault Of Woman In Central Park
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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A man was charged Tuesday with robbing and trying to sexually assault a woman in Central Park last month. Shaiquisse Mont, 20, of East Harlem, was charged with robbery, assault, and an attempted criminal sex act in the broad-daylight attack on Thursday, Jan. 19. Around 3:40 p.m. that day, the 26-year-old woman was walking and wearing headphones on a trail located near the Great Hill at West Drive and 103rd Street. The suspect grabbed the woman from behind, put her in a headlock and threw her to the ground, sources told CBS2. The woman said she had no cash and offered her cellphone, sources said. The man demanded the woman’s pass code, and she told him the phone was open, sources said. The suspect then pulled down his pants and exposed his boxer shorts, and demanded oral sex, sources said. Two male parkgoers scared off the suspect and came to the woman’s aid, sources said. The victim used one of the Good Samaritan’s cellphones to call her mother, sources said.
Police arrest Harlem man suspected of mugging three women in Central Park feeds.nydailynews.com 2017-02-02 01:05 newyork.cbslocal.com
Dearborn travel ban forum: It’s ‘personal’
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Dearborn — The fallout over President Trump’s temporary immigrant travel ban from majority-Muslim countries continued Wednesday, when hundreds of people joined a town hall designed to address concerns related to the ban in a region that hosts one of the largest concentrations of Muslims in the U. S. “This is personal,” said Zeinab Alhashemi, a Fordson High School student whose relatives faced detaining in recent days. “This is an attack on fundamental American values. It’s not acceptable.”
The event sponsored by ACCESS, an Arab-American human services agency, focused on Trump’s executive order Friday that temporarily bans entry into the United States for all refugees and migrants from seven Muslim-majority nations with terrorism concerns: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Admission of refugees from war-ravaged Syria was suspended indefinitely. Wednesday’s forum at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center focused on the impact, both now and in the future. “We need to build with all our communities because this isn’t just a Muslim issue. This order will affect … many other groups in this country,” said Asha Mohamood Noor, an advocacy and civic engagement specialist. “This is a time to protect each other and continue sustainable relationships and resistance.” The White House has defended the action as a move to boost national security and protect citizens from terrorism. But many across the United States, including attorneys and lawmakers, have questioned its constitutionality. The restrictions have sparked outrage, lawsuits and widespread protests, including in Metro Detroit. “This is a very serious order and very deeply rooted not just in Islamophobia but xenophobia…” said Abed Ayoub, legal director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. “These issues are going to impact us for generations.” Kevin McAleenan, acting commissioner of the U. S. Customs and Border Protection agency, said Tuesday that 872 refugees would be granted waivers, which he claimed were permitted under the order in instances where refugees are ready for travel and stopping them would cause “undue hardship.” Homeland Security, the agency tasked with implementing much of the refugee ban, has clarified that customs and border agents should allow legal residents to enter the country. On Tuesday, two Michigan regional resettlement agencies confirmed that more than five dozen Michigan-bound Muslim refugees saw their travel plans derailed when the ban was instituted Friday. A Michigan representative for U. S. Customs and Border Protection said Wednesday only national statistics currently were being released. According to the agency website , through Monday, 721 had been recommended for boarding denial, while 1,059 had legal permanent resident waivers and 75 visa holders were granted waivers. Many who attended the town hall decried the measures, citing its effect on all sectors of society — from families visiting loved ones to aspiring physicians seeking training. “What this president has done does not represent who we are,” said Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee of Flint Township. “It’s not consistent with our values.” Panelists with expertise in immigration and the legal issues involved fielded questions about the executive orders. Attorney Noel Saleh, who has worked with ACCESS and ACLU of Michigan, urged residents to reach out to lawmakers about seeking measures such as designating sanctuary cities. “If they get enough of those calls, it makes them think about what their next step is.” Khaled Beydoun, a law professor at the University of Detroit Mercy, anticipated administrative push-back as legal battles challenge the orders. “This is going to continue on for months and in the near future,” he said. Muna Munassar of Melvindale, whose husband is in Yemen, was encouraged to see so many people denounce the orders. She wonders if the public outcry will lead to their end. “I’m just hoping,” she said.
Google, Apple, Facebook plan to draft joint letter opposing Trump’s travel ban cnbc.com 2017-02-02 00:21 Mark Hicks rssfeeds.detroitnews.com
Kristaps Porzingis comes up big as Carmelo Anthony sits late in Knicks’ 95-90 win over Nets
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On one night at least, the Knicks didn’t need Carmelo Anthony. Phil Jackson’s trade chip was benched for the entire fourth quarter Wednesday, when the Knicks rode a Euro trio down the stretch to win the depressing battle for New York basketball, 95-90, over the lowly Nets. Anthony was clearly gassed on the second night of a back-to-back after logging heavy minutes in the previous six games, including that four-overtime extraordinaire three days prior in Atlanta. So he watched from the sideline with a towel draped over his head as Kristaps Porzingis, Willy Hernangomez and the forgotten Sasha Vujacic scored a combined 26 points in the final 11 minutes.
Porzingis, who missed the previous game with a stomach virus, notched 12 in the fourth quarter to help the Knicks (22-29) stop the bleeding. And for once, Anthony, who was involved on the bench and gracious about the fourth-quarter DNP, wasn’t discussing his no-trade clause. “My teammates held me down tonight,” he said. The Nets (9-40) own the worst record in the NBA, and it’s not even close. So this was no great victory, but it represented just the sixth since the start of 2017 for the Knicks. It also helped that Barclays Center was overrun by Knicks fans, with the crowd exploding, “Let’s Go Knicks,” at a volume not even customary at the Garden. “I’d say we’re off-Broadway right now and we’re trying to get on,” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said Wednesday about fighting the Knicks for New York’s attention. “We’re trying to get in the New York conversation.” Still, Brooklyn’s ragtag roster led for most of the night, until Porzingis’ dunk with 5:44 remaining gave the Knicks their first lead of the game — and one they would never relinquish. Vujacic, who has been racking up DNPs this season, hit a pair of 4-point plays in the second half that breathed life into the crowd, the Knicks, and himself.
“At this particular moment, I have to prove myself once again,” said the veteran. “It feels like a rookie year, being put on the side, having that one seat (on the bench) reserved. It’s frustrating, but I’m not going to give up. Playing is like breathing the fresh air.” Vujacic played the entire fourth quarter alongside Justin Holiday. Anthony finished with 15 points on 6-of-22 shooting. “At one point I looked up, there was like five minutes left, and I was like, ‘Ain’t no way I’m going back in there,’” he said. “These guys had it rolling. There wasn’t any reason for us to go back in there and kind of break up what they had going on.” Jeff Hornacek said fatigue contributed to Anthony’s off-night, since the shots were falling short — a tell-tale sign of tired legs. So Hornacek rode the hot hands. “Usually with about six minutes left, I’m going, ‘If I sit Carmelo any longer the stiffness will probably start to set in,’” Hornacek said. “Then I decided that these guys out there were playing so well, so just let them go.” The 32-year-old Anthony, engulfed in rumors that are sure to persist until the deadline, came into the contest on a hot stretch, averaging 26.3 points over eight games while shooting about 50%. That certainly didn’t continue Wednesday, but the Knicks didn’t need much from Anthony. Not against the Nets.
‘I wasn’t shaking anymore’: Kristaps Porzingis comes up big nypost.com 2017-02-02 01:03 Stefan Bondy feeds.nydailynews.com
Get to know Illini football's Class of 2017
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The Class of 2017 is here for Lovie Smith’s program. Beat writer Bob Asmussen takes a closer look at each athlete: Tony Adams, DB St. Louis University, 6-0, 185 Other interest: Missouri, Purdue, Wyoming. Why Illinois? “It came down to relationships. It came down to the people you’re around. Being coached by Lovie Smith, it doesn’t get any better than that. And it’s home. It’s not too far away. My family can come see me any time they want to.” Who is your all-time favorite Illini football player? “Dana Howard. I hear about Dana a lot being from this area.” Are you starting against Ball State? “That’s the plan, for sure, work my way up the ladder and fight for that spot.” Dawson DeGroot, DB Fort Myers (Fla.), 6-2, 190 Other interest: Boston College, Connecticut, Florida International. Stats that matter: 96 tackles, three fumble recoveries as a senior. 247sports ranking: Three stars. Team success: Fort Myers went 8-5, reached region final in most recent season. Nate Hobbs, DB Louisville (Ky.) Male, 6-0, 170 Other interest: Eastern Michigan, Western Kentucky. Why Illinois? “Because I think they are building something special there with our class and Lovie Smith. Plus, it’s the Big Ten.” Who is your all-time favorite Illini football player? “Justin Green.” Are you starting against Ball State? “Yes, I am.” James Knight, DB East St. Louis, 5-11, 210 Other interest: Missouri, Western Michigan. Why Illinois? “It was the best fit for me. It’s close to home. I like the coaching staff. And I’ve got teammates on the team (Stanley Green).” Who is your all-time favorite Illini football player? “Terry Hawthorne.” Are you playing against Ball State? “That’s my plan.” Marc Mondesir, LB Chicago St. Rita, 6-2, 210 Other interest: Northwestern, Northern Illinois, Illinois State.
Why Illinois? “It gave me the perfect combination, a complete package, for success in my future life. It provides me with a great degree. A football program that is on the rise that I can build up with, a great coaching staff that I can learn a lot from (and) a chance for me to come and play earlier.” Who is your all-time favorite Illini football player? “That’s easy: Dick Butkus. The best linebacker to play the game. He set the bar so high for the rest of us playing now.” Are you starting against Ball State? “I plan to come in June 12 and work as hard as I can to earn that starting spot. Nothing is guaranteed. We’ll see what happens when opening week comes.” Del’Shawn Phillips, LB Garden City (Kan.) CC, 6-1, 230 Other interest: Arizona, Syracuse, Central Florida.
Why Illinois? “Here, I felt like we had something to build on. I feel like I can be a part of that. I paid attention to the system. The sale was really the recent linebackers that played in this system. Good coaching is a blessing to have. It’s close to home. I want my family to come see me play. They watched my first junior college game. After the game, you like to look up in the crowd or look on the field and find your mom. That played a really big part in it.” Who is your all-time favorite Illini? “Dick Butkus, of course. I’ve got no choice.” Are you starting against Ball State? “I’m going to play my heart out in practices and I’m going to let the coaches make that decision.” Bennett Williams, DB Mountain View (Calif.) St. Francis, 5-11, 195 Other interest: Yale, Harvard, Hawaii, San Jose State, UNLV, Wyoming. Rivals ranking: Two stars. Stats that matter: Nine interceptions as a sophomore to rank among the state’s best. Had six picks as a senior. Smart guy: Scored a 33 on his ACT. High school coach Greg Calcagno: “He’s a big hitter.” Family ties: His dad, Garey, played football at Cal with Illinois defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson. Owen Carney, DE Miami Central, 6-3, 230 Other interest: California, Florida State, LSU.
Why Illinois? “The first phone call I had with (assistant coach) Thaddaeus Ward, we talked for 45 minutes. He told me, ‘You’re good, but you’re not that good. The sky’s the limit.’ I was like, ‘What is this guy talking about?’ It finally started to click, especially on my last visit Dec. 9. The coaching staff will really help me improve everything. They’ll tweak everything from high school to college and make me one of those rush men. One of the Corey Liugets, Jihad Wards, Carroll Phillips and Dawuane Smoots.” Who is your all-time favorite Illini football player? “Vontae Davis and Rashard Mendenhall.” Are you starting against Ball State? “That’s my mission. That’s my plan. I’ll stick by that.” Kendrick Green, DL Peoria High, 6-3, 270 Other interest: Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Northern Illinois. Why Illinois? “I chose the Illini because I want to bring the program back to the top of college football.” Who is your all-time favorite Illini football player? “Jihad Ward.” Are you starting against Ball State? “I’m not sure if I’ll be starting, but that’s what I want to make happen.” Lere Oladipo, DE Huntley, 6-3, 240 Other interest: California, Indiana, Northwestern. Why Illinois? “I chose Illinois because it was close to home and I had a relative there, who I have a strong relationship with. I saw many similarities between my high school and Illinois. I love the energy the coaches coach with and how excited they get their players. The Illinois staff is as good as they come, with a lot of NFL background. Illinois is on the right track with the hiring of the new staff, and I wanted to be a part of that journey that would turn the program around.” Who is your all-time favorite Illini football player? “Easily Simeon Rice. That man was a beast.” Are you starting against Ball State? “When that game comes around, I just want to be on the field, starting or not.” Deon Pate, DE Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Chrisian Academy, 6-3, 245 Other interest: Colorado State, Rutgers, Southern Miss, Troy. Why Illinois? “It was the best fit for me, and I love the vision the coaches have for the program.” Favorite athlete: “J. J. Watt because of his versatility.” Future plans: Wants to go to law school. Bobby Roundtree, DE Largo (Fla.), 6-4, 230 Other interest: Boston College, Cal, Indiana, Iowa State. Rivals ranking: Two stars. Final fax: Roundtree was the last one of the Illini’s 2017 class to send his letter of intent in on Wednesday. Jamal Woods, DE Hueytown (Ala.), 6-3, 240 Other interest: Memphis, Georgia Tech, Southern Miss. Rivals ranking: Two stars. Honors: Team captain, all-state second team. Stats that matter: 47 tackles, including eight for loss, in his senior season. Other sport: Wrestling. Twice finished among the best in the state. Larry Boyd, OL St. Louis Trinity, 6-5, 310 Other interest: Arkansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas State. Rivals ranking: Three stars. Rank among Missouri players: No. 5. Honors: St. Louis Post-Dispatch Lineman of the Year, all-state. Vederian Lowe, OL Rockford Auburn, 6-5, 330 Other interest: Indiana, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue. Why Illinois? “I chose Illinois because I feel with the new coaching staff that we have and the new recruits coming in, we can turn the program around and make us one of the best in the Big Ten. I also feel that they are a great fit for me academically, too. What really led my decision is the new coaching staff that came in and took the program over.” Who is your all-time favorite Illini football player? “I didn’t really watch much of Illinois football growing up, but I do remember watching Nate Scheelhaase play when I first started getting recruited by Illinois, and that was pretty cool.” Are you starting against Ball State? “Coach (Luke) Butkus and I have discussed me working for a starting spot, and I was told that it will not be given to me and that I would have to work very hard for it, but I plan on starting in the opener against Ball State.” Alex Palczewski, OL Prospect, 6-6, 270 Other interest: Minnesota, Syracuse, Vanderbilt.
Why Illinois? “I choose Illinois because it has exactly what I want in a school: an academic program that gives me a great chance to get a good job after football, and a great relationship with Coach (Luke) Butkus. Also, I believe that Illinois needs to be put back on the map, and I want that to happen.” Who is your all-time favorite Illini football player? “Luke Butkus.” Are you starting against Ball State? “I’m going to practice every day as if I am going to start, but I know I might not.” HoJo Watkins, OL Cincinnati Colerain, 6-5, 280 Other interest: Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville, Rutgers.
Why Illinois? “Why not, really? To me, being a part of Lovie’s first recruiting class is amazing. A lot of people can’t say that they’ve done that. Coming here, there is an opportunity to play early. I didn’t want to go to a program where they said, ‘We’re going to redshirt you. We just want you to develop.’ They told me, ‘We want to bring in guys like you. We want to have guys on our team that are going to play early like you.’ When they told me that, I said, ‘Wow, no other colleges told me that.’ We had a real great conversation about what they wanted me to do here.” Who is your all-time favorite Illini? “Dick Butkus and Luke Butkus. Me and Coach Butkus have a great relationship.” Are you starting against Ball State? “I don’t know if I’ll start, but I don’t plan on redshirting.” Louis Dorsey, WR/TE Jacksonville (Fla.) Ribault, 6-6, 220 Other interest: Baylor, North Carolina, West Virginia. Why Illinois? “I picked Illinois because most of the coaches have coached or played in the NFL, so I know they will get me prepared for the next level”. Who is your all-time favorite Illini? “Brandon Lloyd.” Are you starting against Ball State? “Yes, I’m starting.” Carmoni Green, WR Miami Central, 6-1, 190 Other interest: North Carolina, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina. Why Illinois? “The deciding factors were the coaches that recruited me; we built a great relationship. I saw that I could have a chance to play early. The competition level in the Big Ten is pretty big. That could help me and my stock in trying to go to the NFL.” Who is your all-time favorite Illini football player? “Carroll Phillips. I look up to him, and he’s a hard worker.” Are you starting against Ball State? “Yes, of course. You’ve got to play with a lot of confidence, but you’ve also got to be humble. I try to put both of them together.” Ricky Smalling, WR Chicago Brother Rice, 6-1, 189 Other interest: Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin. Why Illinois? “I chose Illinois because it is a great school and I built a great relationship with the coaches.” Who is your all-time favorite Illini football player? “Receiver Chris James.” Are you starting against Ball State? “That’s my plan, to get on campus in the summer and compete for a starting spot.” Kendall Smith, WR Bolingbrook, 6-2, 175 Other interest: Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, Nevada. Why Illinois? “It’s always a favorite school of mine, and I want to be a part of the change.” Favorite athlete? “Devin Hester because of his big-play ability.” Rivals ranking: Three stars. Ra’Von Bonner, RB Cincinnati Sycamore, 6-0, 210 Other interest: Cincinnati, Iowa, Western Michigan. Why Illinois? “Because it’s God’s plan.” Favorite athletes: “Ray Lewis and Tim Tebow. They are both great leaders.” Future plans: Go into the ministry. Mike Epstein, RB Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas, 6-0, 185 Other interest: Boston College, Louisville, Michigan, Rutgers. Why Illinois? “Great coaching staff that I feel very comfortable with. Great fit and situation for me. One of the top academic schools in the country, while playing Big Ten football.” Who is your all-time favorite Illini football player? “Rashard Mendenhall.” Are you starting against Ball State? “I’m going to work my tail off to put myself in the best situation I can for myself and the team.” Dwayne Lawson, QB* Garden City (Kan.) C. C., 6-6, 220 Why Illinois? “Throughout this process they have been the most supportive of me as a person. ... I truly believe the Illinois coaches are also supportive of me as a man.” Who is your all-time favorite Illini football player? “I respect all the players that have been a part of the Illini and am proud that I get to join the great history.” Are you starting against Ball State? “I’m not going to focus on starting against Ball State. I’m going to focus on having a great summer, then fall camp. If I do that, good things will come my way.” *Has not signed; expected to join team during summer Cam Thomas, QB Marian Catholic, 6-3, 180 Why Illinois? “Because of the family environment I felt from Day 1. Everyone here is genuine, and it’s refreshing to work alongside others who want a common goal and that’s to win the Big Ten championship and compete for the national championship.” Favorite athlete? “Mike Vick because he started the cultural change at quarterback and paved the way for quarterbacks like myself, who are dual threat, to showcase our talent.” Future plans: Become a sports agent. Seems like a good bunch. It's good to see us beating B1G rivals and getting guys who we would have lost to MAC schools under Beckman. Of course, there will be those, including a certain celestial body-named user and his favorite fan(s), will say are terrible football players and people in general by default, because they made the terrible mistake of picking Illinois. Good luck fellas! Prove these worthless haters wrong.
Signing Day 2017: Local college football teams’ incoming classes rssfeeds.freep.com 2017-02-02 01:44 Bob Asmussen www.news-gazette.com
College Football National Signings
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Marcus Armstrong-Brown, wr, 6-3, 195, Diablo Valley College Donovan Dalton, wr, 6-3, 205, Saguaro HS, Scottsdale, Ariz. Jeremie Dominique, cb, 6-1, 193, Spartiates Vieux Montréal, Montreal, Canada Jay Dominique, db, 6-2, 195, Montreal/Old Montreal Cégep Eugene Ford, db, 6-2, 190, Los Angeles/University HS Akil Francisco, cb, 6-1, 160, Encinal HS, Alameda, Calif. Emil Graves, ol, 6-3, 275, Fullerton College Kade Greeley, te, 6-5, 220, Vista Murrieta HS, Murrieta, Calif. Hekili Keliiliki, rb, 6-2, 225, Bentonville, Ark./Bentonville HS Brandon Kipper, ot, 6-6, 280, Columbia HS, Nampa, Idaho Josaiah Maama, de, 6-3, 240, The Kings Academy, Sunnyvale, Calif. Damario Mclean, cb, 6-2, 185, Elk Grove HS, Elk Grove, Calif. Anthony Mermea, dt, 6-2, 270, Vista Murrieta HS, Murrieta, Calif. Isaia Mullen, wr, 6-4, 190, Madison HS, Portland, Ore. Kalepo Naotala, dl, 6-3, 280, Newport News, Va./Menchville HS Penei Pavihi, ilb, 6-2, 220, Tafuna HS, Pago Pago, American Somoa Manu Rasmussen, db, 6-0, 185, Riverside CC Miles Reed, rb, 5-9, 190, Centennial HS, Corona, Calif. Doug Russell, de, 6-5, 270, O’Dea HS, Seattle, Wash. Paul Scott, olb, 6-2, 200, McClymonds Senior HS, Oakland, Calif. Drake Stallworth, wr, 6-1, 183, Folsom HS, Folsom, Calif. Blessman Taala, de, 6-1, 250, Faga’Itua HS, Pago Pago, American Somoa Jamie Tago, dl, 6-3, 260, Garden City College Micah Vanterpool, ol, 6-6, 285, Phoenix, Ariz./Central HS Alec Austin, dl, 6-4, 220, Nolan Catholic HS, Fort Worth, Texas Alec Austin, dl, 6-4, 220, Nolan Catholic, Fort Worth, Texas Mark Bach, ol, 6, 249, Barrington HS, Barrington, Ill Mark Bach, ol, 6-0, 249, Barrington HS, Barrington, Ill. Tyler Barrett, ol, 6-5, 260, Lake Travis HS, Austin Texas Tyler Barrett, ol, 6-5, 260, Lake Travis HS, Austin, Texas Bryce Bemer, db, 5-11, 157, North Cedar HS, Mechanicsville, Iowa Bryce Bemer, db, 5-11, 157, North Cedar HS, Mechanicsburg, Iowa Brady Bjorkman, wr, 6-1, 195, San Juan Hills HS, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Max Duchow, qb, 6-1, 184, Kettle Moraine HS, Wales Wis. Mac Duchow, qb, 6-1, 184, Kettle Moraine HS, Wales, Wis. Dawson Evans, db, 5-11, 192, Heritage HS, Edmond, Okla. Dawson Evans, db, 5-11, 192, Heritage Hall, Edmond, Okla. Armando Fitz Jr., lb, 6-1, 225, Fort Worth Christian HS, Fort Worth Texas Armando Fitz Jr., lb, 6-1, 225, Fort Worth Christian, Fort Worth, Texas Zachary Genrich, wr, 5-11, 195, Mukwonago HS, Mukwonago, Wis. Grant Gossling, hb, 6-0, 217, Johnston HS, Johnston, Iowa Gant Gossling, hb, 6-0, 217, Johnston HS, Johnston, Iowa Joseph Harkins, ath, 6-3, 210, Earlham Community HS, Earlham, Iowa Joseph Harkins, ath, 6-3, 210, Earlham HS, Earlham, Iowa Corden Harrington, db, 6-2, 170, Coweta HS, Coweta, Oklah. Corden Harrington, db, 6-2, 170, Coweta HS, Coweta, Okla. Braeden Hartwig, rb, 5-10, 191, Lincoln Southwest HS, Lincoln, Neb Braeden Hartwig, rb, 5-10, 191, Lincoln Southwest HS, Lincoln, Neb. Max Johnson, dl, 6-3, 245, Xavier HS, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Max Johnson, dl, 6-3, 245, Cedar Rapids Xavier, HS, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Ryan Kriceri, te, 6-2, 200, Metea Valley HS, Aurora, Ill. Will Kulick, lb, 6-3, 200, Regis Jesuit HS, Aurora, Colo. Will Kulick, lb, 6-3, 230, Regis Jesuit HS, Aurora, Colo Noah Larson, db, 6-2, 190, Winterset HS, Winterset Iowa Noah Larson, db, 6-2, 190, Winterset HS, Winterset, Iowa Ryan Lieb, ol, 6-5, 265, Deerfield HS, Deerfield, Ill. Chance May, olb, 6-1, 210, Rockhurst HS, Kansas City, Mo. Jorin McGuire, ol, 6-4, 295, Muskego HS, Muskego, Wis. Jorin McGuire, ol, 6-4, 295, Muskego HS, Musketo, Wis. Ben Neinhuis, qb, 6-2, 200, Oconomowoc HS, Oconomowoc, Wis. Ben Nienhuis, qb, 6-2, 200, Oconomowoc HS, Oconomowoc, Wis. Jeran Proctor, db, 5-11, 166, Johnston HS, Johnston, Iowa Jacob Richard, dl, 6-3, 215, St. Thomas More, Champaign, Ill. Jacob Richard, dl, 6-3, 215, St. Thomas More HS, Champaigh, Ill. Cross Robinson, rb, 6-0, 205, Naperville North HS, Naperville, Ill. Alex Rogers, db, 6-1, 185, Case HS, Racine, Wis. Terry Saul III, db, 5-10, 170, Pleasant Valley HS, Bettendorf, Iowa Andrew Shafis, LB, 6-2, 199, Prospect HS, Mount Prospect, Ill. Andrew Shafis, lb, 6-2, 199, Prospect HS, Mount Prospect, Ill. Dalton Taylor, wr, 6-6, 220, Scotus Central Catholic HS, Columbus, Neb. Dalton Taylor, wr, 6-6, 220, Scotus Central Catholic, Columbus, Neb. Kyshaun Bryan, rb, 5-10, 210, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Djimon Colbert, db, 6-1, 215, Bishop Miege HS, Shawnee Mission, Kan. Jacob Coons, te, 6-3, 220, Solon Junior-Senior HS, Solon, Iowa Max Cooper, wr, 6-0, 175, Catholic Memorial HS, Waukesha, Wis. Trey Creamer, ath, 6-0, 175, Cartersville HS, Cartersville, Ga. Levi Duwa, de, 6-3, 235, Mid-Prairie HS, Wellman, Iowa A. J. Epenesa, de, 6-5, 270, Edwardsville HS, Edwardsville, Ill. Ryan Gersonde, p, 6-4, 185, Marquette University HS, Milwaukee, Wis. Matt Hankins, db, 6-1, 170, Marcus HS, Flower Mound, Texas Camron Harrell, db, 5-10, 181, Bradley-Bourbonnais C HS, Bradley, Ill. Mark Kallenberger, ol, 6-6, 260, Bettendorf HS, Bettendorf, Iowa Ivory Kelly-Martin, rb, 5-11, 195, Oswego East, Oswego, Ill. Coy Kirkpatrick, ol, 6-5, 270, Madrid HS, Madrid, Iowa Peyton Mansell, qb, 6-3, 210, Belton HS, Belton, Texas Henry Marchese, wr, 6-3, 190, Adlai E. Stevenson HS, Lincolnshire, Ill. Daviyon Nixon, dl, 6-5, 290, Indian Trail Academy, Kenosha, Wis. Brandon Smith, wr, 6-3, 205, Lake Cormorant HS, Lake Cormorant, Miss. Geno Stone, db, 6-0, 195, New Castle SHS, New Castle, Pa. Joshua Turner, db, 6-0, 180, American Heritage School, Delray Beach, Fla. Nate Wieland, lb, 6-1, 220, Iowa City HS, Iowa City, Iowa Tristan Wirfs, ol, 6-5, 315, Mount Vernon HS, Mount Vernon, Iowa Jacob Bolton, ol, 6-5, 310, Blessed Trinty Catholic, Roswell, Ga Richard Bowens III, db, 6-1, 175, St. Mary Preparatory School, Orchard Lake, Mich. Dave Dawson, ol, 6-3, 330, Cass Tech, Detroit, Mich Angel Dominguez, de, 6-4, 255, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Overland Park, Kan. Matthew Eaton, wr, 6-4, 205, Pascagoula/Temple/Pearl RiverCC (Miss) Robert Hudson, ol, 6-7, 333, Walled Lake Western HS, Walled Lake, Mich. Josh Johnson, wr, 5-11, 170, Central Arkansas Christian, Little Rock, Ark. Keontae Jones, db, 5-11, 175, Colerain, Cincinnati, Ohio Alex Kleinow, ol, 6-5, 275, West Senior HS, Iowa City, Iowa Charlie Kolar, te, 6-6, 245, Norman HS North, Norman, Okla. Matt Leo, dl, 6-7, 265, St. Michael’s/Arizona Western CC, Az Ray Lima, dt, 6-3, 310, Torrence West/El Camino CC, Calif. Devon Moore, qb, 6-3, 210, West HS, Waterloo, Iowa John Nagel, Ath, 6-5, 222, West Delaware HS, Manchester, Iowa Colin Newell, ol, 6-4, 270, Ames HS, Ames, Iowa Jeff Nogaj, ol, 6-4, 324, Johnstown-Monroe, Ohio Garrett Owens, pk, 5-8, 180, Arroyo Grande, Calif. Tucker Robertson, dl, 6-2, 274, Grace Brethren Jr Sr HS, Simi Valley, Calif. Kahliel Rogers, ol, 6-3, 315, Eastern Christian Academy, Elkton, Md Dan Sichterman, de, 6-2, 235, Kings HS, Kings Mills, Ohio O. J. Tucker, db, 6-1, 200, Vanguard HS, Ocala, Fla. Orien Vance, lb, 6-1, 232, George Washington HS, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Jared Brinkman, dl, 6-1, 275, Regina HS, Iowa City, Iowa. Jaylen Campbell, db, 6-1, 192, Catholic Memorial HS, Milwaukee, Wis. Terrell Carey, wr, 6-2, 195, Madison West HS, Madison, Wis. Tayshaun Cooper, wr, 5-11, 180, Waterloo West HS, Waterloo, Iowa Jake Crozier, ol, 6-6, 345, Twin Cedars HS, Harvey Iowa Bryce Flater, lb, 6-1, 215, Grundy Center HS, Grundy Center, Iowa Brock Hadacheck, lb, 6-4, 210, Union HS, Dysart, Iowa Jacob Keller, qb, 6-4, 195, Fenwick HS, Aurora, Ill. Chris Kolarevic, lb, 6-1, 220, St. Francis HS, Traverse City, Mich Suni Lane, wr, 6-4, 195, Bettendorf HS, Bettendorf, Iowa Jacob Leonarf, ol, 6-3, 300, Sunrise Mountain HS, Peoria, Ariz. Nate Murphy, ppk, 6-2, 160, Valley HS, West Des Moines, Iowa Bedale Naba, fb, 6, 265, Valley HS, West Des Moines, Iowa Mason Neisen, ol, 6-4, 315, Denver HS, Denver Iowa Justin Peine, ol, 6-6, 290, Prairie View HS, Parker, Kan. Trevor Penning, ol, 6-6, 270, Newman Catholic HS, Clear Lake Iowa Nick Simpson, ls, 5-11, 228, Dowling Catholic HS, Des Moines, Iowa Alphonso Soke, rb, 5-10, 185, Muscatine HS, Muscatine, Iowa Erik Sorensen, ol, 6-6, 304, Waukee HS, Waukee, Iowa John Sullivan, qb, 6-1, 180, Clinton HS, Clinton, Iowa Kendrick Suntken, lb, 6-2, 240, Hampton-Dumont HS, Hampton, Iowa Isaiah Trousil, ath, 5-11, 180, West Burlington HS, Burlington, Iowa Riley Van Wyhe, lb, 6-2, 210, Central Lyon HS, Rock Rapids, Iowa Matthew Vanderslice, te, 6-8, 240, Northwest HS, Olathe, Kan. John Yount, ol, 6-3, 280, Ankeney Centennial HS, Ankeny, Iowa Drake Beasley, rb, 5-11, 185, La Canada HS, La Canada, Calif. Breydon Boyd, ilb, 6-4, 215, Katy HS, Katy, Texas Jermani Brown, ath, 5-11, 170, Midlothian HS, Midlothian, Va. Damon Cole, wr, 6-0, 175, El Cerrito Senior HS, El Cerrito, Calif. Chase Cord, qb, 6-4, 185, Sunrise Mountain HS, Peoria, Ariz. Marques Evans, s, 6-1, 180, Newbury Park HS, Newbury Park, Calif. Octavius Evans, wr, 6-2, 198, Center HS, Center, Texas Tyreque Jones, cb, 6-3, 190, San Gorgonio HS, San Bernardino, Calif. Roman Kafentzis, s, 6-2, 200, Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, Calif. Kekaula Kaniho, cb, 5-11, 170, Kahuku HS, Kahuku, Hawaii Aisa Kelemete, de, 6-4, 225, Highland Senior HS, Pocatello, Idaho Isiah Moore, ol, 6-5, 285, Mesa CC, Mesa, Ariz. Ezekiel Noa, ilb, 6-0, 220, Helix HS, La Mesa, Calif. John Ojukwu, ot, 6-6, 285, Boise Senior HS, Boise, Idaho Rathen Ricedorff, qb, 6-1, 200, Mesa CC, Mesa, Ariz. Cartrell Thomas, wr, 5-9, 160, Lancaster HS, Lancaster, Texas Riley Whimpey, lb, 6-2, 210, San Clemente HS, San Clemente, Calif. Michael Young, cb, 6-0, 205, Dodge City CC, Dodge City, Kan. Marcus Bornslater, Jr., s, 6-3, 185, Crossett HS, Crossett, Ark. Johari Branch, ol, 6-3, 295, Phillips High School, Chicago, Ill. Rodarrius Brooks, rb, 5-11, 205, Huffman HS, Birmingham, Ala. Edwyn Brown, wr, 6-6, 180, Althoff Catholic HS, Belleville, Ill. Kylan Cole, de, 6-3, 245, Carmel HS, Zionsville, Ind. D’Mitri George, de, 6-3, 240, Lafayette Central Catholic, Lafayette, Ind. Alexander Hollins, wr, 6-1, 172, Copiah Lincoln CC, Yazoo City, Miss. Austin Johnson, olb, 6-3, 225, St. Petersburg HS, Saint Petersburg, Fla. Jalen Johnson, wr, 6-2, 180, Owasso HS, Owasso, Okla. Dytarious Johnson, lb, 6-1, 215, Alabama Prep, Prattville, Ala. Jonathon McCoy, te, 6-8, 210, Camden Fairview HS, Camden, Ark. Ryan Ramirez, te, 6-5, 250, SE Louisiana, Pomona, Calif. Xander Richards, wr, 6-4, 185, Burleson Centennial HS, Burleson, Texas Mario Rodrigues, ls, 6-1, 220, Lincoln-Way Central HS, New Lenox, Ill. Courtney Rowell, rb, 6-2, 185, St. Joseph HS, South Bend, Ind. Jose Sanchez, ol, 6-4, 280, Westchester Saint Joseph, Chicago, Ill. Matt Severino, k/p, 5-10, 165, Springfield HS, Springfield, Ill. Ben Soloman, ol, 6-2, 285, Bishop Chatard HS, Indianapolis, Ind. Levi Watson, dl, 6-5, 285, Itasca CC, Aurora, Colo. Aaron Woods, dl, 6-3, 245, Hinsdale South HS, Chicago, Ill. Tony Adams, cb, 6-0, 184, St. Louis University HS, St. Louis, Mo. Ravon Bonner, rb, 6-0, 210, Sycamore HS, Cincinnati, Ohio Larry Boyd, og, 6-5, 332, Trinity Catholic HS, St. Louis, Mo. Owen Carney, de, 6-4, 229, Miami Central HS, Miami, Fla. Dawson DeGroot, db, 6-2, 180, Ft. Myers HS, Ft. Myers, Fla. Louis Dorsey, wr, 6-6, 220, Jean Ribault HS, Jacksonville, Fla. Mike Epstein, rb, 6-0, 185, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Carmoni Green, wr, 6-1, 192, Miami Central HS, Miami, Fla. Kendrick Green, dt, 6-2, 275, Peoria HS, Peoria, Ill. Nate Hobbs, cb, 6-0, 170, Male HS, Louisville, Ky. James Knight, qb, 5-11, 210, East St. Louis, Ill. Vederian Lowe, og, 6-5, 330, Auburn HS, Rockford, Ill. Marc Mondesir, olb, 6-2, 210, St. Rita HS, Chicago, Ill. Olalere Oladipo, de, 6-4, 235, Huntley HS, Huntley, Ill. Alex Palczewski, ot, 6-6, 270, Prospect HS, Mount Prospect, Ill. Deon Pate, de, 6-3, 243, Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, Fla. Del’Shawn Phillips, lb, 6-1, 230, Detroit Cass Tech/Garden City CC, Highland Park, Mich. Bobby Roundtree, de, 6-5, 215, Largo HS, Largo, Fla. Ricky Smalling, wr, 6-1, 200, Brother Rice HS, Chicago, Ill. Kendall Smith, wr, 6-1, 175, Bolingbrook HS, Bolingbrook, Ill. Cameron Thomas, qb, 6-3, 180, Marion Catholic HS, Chicago Heights. Ill. Howard Watkins, dt, 6-5, 271, Colerain HS, Cincinnati, Ohio Hojo Watkins Jr., ol, 6-5, 280, Colerain HS, Cincinnati, Ohio Bennett Williams, cb, 6-0, 185, St. Francis HS, Mountain View, Calif. Jamal Woods, de, 6-3, 240, Hueytown HS, Hueytown, Ala. John Amea, ol, 6-5, 260, De Smet Jesuit HS, Wildwood, Mo Drew Bones, ol, 6-4, 305, Ottawa HS, Ottawa, Kansas Kobe Buffalomeat, ol, 6-7, 285, Lawrence HS, Lawrence, Kansas Evan Day, ol, 6-6, 290, Batavia HS, Batvia, Ill. Andrew Edgar, wr, 6-0, 175, Saint Patrick HS, Chicago, Ill. Trenton Hatfield, wb, 6-2, 190, Muncie Central HS, Selma, Ind. Peyton Jones, db, 6-1, 185, Archbishop O’Hara HS, Kansas City, Mo. Jason Lewan, dl, 6-6, 220, Yorkville HS, Yorkville, Ill. Emmanuel Osuchukwu, wr, 6-3, 180, Calabasas HS, Calabasas, Calif. Kentre Patterson, wr, 6-1, 175, East Lansing HS, East Lansing, Mich. Jacob Powell, dl, 6-1, 250, Arrowhead HS, Hartland, Wis. Brandon Price, wr, 6-5, 205, Mt. Zion HS, Mt. Zion, Ill. John Ridgeway, ol, 6-6, 175, Bloomingto HS, Bloomington, Ill. Ricky Rollerson, db, 5-11, 175, Bishop Dunne HS, Dallas Texas Eric Scott, db, 6-2, 190, Basehor Linwood HS, Basehor, Kan. Spencer Stachyra, ol, 6-4, 290, Westfield HS, Westfield, Ind. Jalen Sutton, dl, 6-2, 215, Guyer HS, Denton, Texas Tanner Taula, te, 6-6, 220, Blue Springs HS, Independence, Mo. Zeke Vandenburgh, lb, 6-3, 210, Freeport HS, Freeport, Ill. Daniel WItherspoon, ol, 6-7, 320, Washington Community HS, Washington, Ill. Rashaun Woods, lb, 6-1, 200, Jefferson City HS, Jerfferson City, Mo. Jacob Ballain, k, 6-0, 180, Greenwood, Ind./Whiteland HS Jordan Cole, s, 6-3, 182, Berkeley HS, Berkeley, Mo. Calvin Dassow, ol, 6-7, 310, Menominee Falls, Wis./Sussex Hamilton HS Jawon Denton, de, 6-2, 210, Chicago/Morgan Park Matt Ference, p, 5-11, 165, Lafayette High School, Wildwood, Mo. Rayshawn Gay, lb, 6-3, 200, Maywood, Ill/Proviso East Rodney Hall, qb, 6-2, 195, Cass Technical HS, Detroit, Mich. Isaac Hawn, ot, 6-6, 285, St. Charles North HS, Saint Charles, Ill. Michael Kennedy, rb, 6-2, 195, Mount Carmel HS, Chicago, Ill. Weston Kramer, dt, 6-2, 275, Marmion Academy, Aurora, Ill. Matt Lorbeck, ilb, 6-3, 220, Bay Port HS, Green Bay, Wis. Jordan Nettles, rb, 5-9, 180, Romeoville HS, Romeoville, Ill. Justin Nwachukwu, dt, 6-2, 290, El Dorado, Kan./Butler CC Tyrice Richie, wr, 6-1, 190, Homewood-Flossmoor HS, Flossmoor, Ill. Dennis Robinson, wr, 6-5, 205, Hollywood, Fla./South Broward Jordan Rowell, s, 6-0, 186, Immaculate Conception HS, Elmhurst, Ill. Connor Schneider, de, 6-3, 210, Granger, Ind./Penn HS Liam Soraghan, te, 6-7, 220, Divine Child HS, Dearborn, Mich. Dillon Thomas, cb, 6-2, 170, Park Hill South HS, Riverside, Mo. Cole Tucker, wr, 6-2, 180, De Kalb HS, Dekalb, Ill. Dexter Warren, db, 6-0, 175, Chicago/Phillips HS Cole Webster, ot, 6-7, 270, Bettendorf HS, Bettendorf, Iowa Devin Webster, dt, 6-2, 300, Yuma, Ariz./Arizona Western College Chee Anyanwu, lb, 6-2, 190, Buford HS, Buford, Ga. Earnest Brown IV, de, 6-5, 235, Ryan HS, Denton, Texas Blake Gallagher, ilb, 6-0, 221, St. Sebastian’s School, Raynham, Mass. Sam Gerak, c, 6-4, 280, Avon HS, Avon, Ohio Austin Hiller, s, 6-1, 187, Lake Travis HS, Austin, Texas Berkeley Holman, wr, 6-0, 180, St. John Bosco HS, Bellflower, Calif. Bryce Jackson, s, 6-0, 185, Guyer HS, Denton, Texas Jace James, wr, 6-1, 185, Glenbard North HS, Carol Stream, Ill. Trevor Kent, de, 6-5, 242, Pittsburg HS, Pittsburg, Kan. Charlie Kuhbander, k, 5-11, 185, Springboro HS, Springboro, Ohio Andrew Marty, qb, 6-4, 215, Wyoming HS, Cincinnati, Ohio Kyric McGowan, ath, 5-10, 185, Dalton HS, Dalton, Ga. Peter McIntyre, olb, 6-2, 215, St. Johns Jesuit HS, Toledo, Ohio Sam Miller, dt, 6-3, 260, Stratford HS, Houston, Texas J. R. Pace, s, 6-1, 180, Woodward Academy, College Park, Ga. Trey Pugh, te, 6-6, 220, Jonathan Alder HS, Plain City, Ohio Cameron Ruiz, cb, 5-10, 160, Lakes Community HS, Lake Villa, Ill. Rashawn Slater, og, 6-4, 280, Clements HS, Sugar Land, Texas Ethan Wiederkehr, og, 6-6, 285, Shoreham-Wading River HS, Shoreham, N. Y. Keenan Agnew, dl, 6-1, 270, De Smet Jesuit HS, Chesterfield, Mo. Dijon Anderson, db, 5-10, 170, Warren Central HS, Indianapolis, Ind. Bryce Baringer, p, 6-3, 185, Notre Dame Prep HS, Waterford, Mich. Makel Calhoun, lb, 6-3, 210, Pinellas Park HS, Clearwater, Fla. Dalton Carde, ol, 6-9, 315, Bloomingdale HS, Valrico, Fla. Lucas Davis, ol, 6-5, 280, Edwardsville HS, Edwardsville, Ill. Max Edwards, ol, 6-6, 285, Johnston City HS, Johnston City, Ill. Michael Elbert, s, 6-2, 180, Carl Junction HS, Carl Junction, Mo. Calvin Francis, Jr., ol, 6-2, 330, Jones HS, Orlando Fla. Brandon George, qb, 6-1, 202, Jones HS, Jacksonville, Fla. Luke Giegling, lb, 6-4, 230, St. John Vianney, St. Louis, Mo. D. J. Hampton, rb, 5-8, 175, Seminole HS, Sanford, Fla. E’mare Hogan, ath, 5-11, 170, Dr. Phillips HS, Orlando, Fla. Devin Jones, dl, 6-3, 265, Du Quoin, Ill. Du Quoin Raphael Leonard, wr, 6-3, 190, Starkville HS, Starkville, Miss Raquan LIndsey, dl, 6-3, 235, Portage HS, Portage, Ind. Lane Pegram, te, 6-3, 210, Massac County HS, Metropolis, Ill. Travis Pickert, te, 6-5, 225, St. James Academy, Lenexa, Kan. Quadarius Reed, dl, 6-3, 280, Yazoo County HS, Yazoo City, Miss. Tate Rujaqitz, dl, 6-4, 305, Edwardsville HS, Edwardsville, Ill. Sam Skinnner, dl, 6-3, 240, Bloomingdale HS, Valrico, Fla. Cole Steward, te, 6-4, 240, Salem Community, Salem, Ill. Bryson Strong, lb, 5-11, 225, Althoff Catholic HS, Fairview Heights, Ill Chucky Sullivan, dl, 6-4, 245, Jireh Prep HS, Vernon Hills, Ill. Sam Thompson, wr, 6-1, 165, Boca Ciege HS, St. Petersburg, Fla. Jack White, ol, 6-3, 310, Mount Carmel HS, Chicago, Ill. Jaylin Wilson, dl, 6-4, 240, Vierra HS, Viera Christian Albright, de, 6-2, 225, North Cobb HS, Kennesaw, Ga. Brett Anderson, cb, 5-11, 175, Grand Blanc Community HS, Grand Blanc, Mich. Curtis Blackwell, ot, 6-5, 306, Norwell HS, Ossian, Ind. Brock Burns, s, 6-3, 176, Hamilton Southeastern HS, Fishers, Ind. Bryce Cosby, cb, 5-11, 170, Dupont Manual HS, Louisville, Ky. Jimmy Daw, rb, 6-3, 195, Medina HS, Medina, Ohio Kevin Dominique, rb, 6-0, 205, Plaquemine Senior HS, Plaquemine, La. Erick Eldridge, ot, 6-5, 294, Southfield HS, Southfield, Mich. Justin Gibbs, wr, 6-2, 200, Grovetown HS, Grovetown, Ga. Justin Hall, wr, 5-10, 170, Alexander HS, Douglasville, Ga. Myles Hannah, cb, 5-11, 172, Stephenson HS, Stone Mountain, Ga. Zach Haynes, de, 6-3, 255, South Warren HS, Bowling Green, Ky. Verenzo Holmes, cb, 6-0, 175, Aquinas HS, Augusta, Ga. Caleb Huntley, rb, 6-0, 210, Locust Grove High, Locust Grove, Ga. Markice Hurt Jr., rb, 5-9, 183, Michigan City School, Michigan City, Ind. Malcolm Lee, s, 6-2, 180, Baker HS, Mobile, Ala. Hassan Littles, wr, 5-10, 175, Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson HS Jake McKenzie, de, 6-4, 250, Heritage Chr Schools Inc, South Holland, Ill. Ethan Merriweather, wr, 6-1, 168, Carmel HS, Carmel, Ind. Demetrius Murray, cb, 6-2, 170, Grayson HS, Loganville, Ga. Khalil Newton, wr, 6-2, 175, Stephenson HS, Stone Mountain, Ga. Antonio Phillips, s, 6-0, 170, Kirkwood HS, St. Louis, Mo. Dorion Pollard, olb, 6-1, 215, Hinsdale Central HS, Hinsdale, Ill. Shahid Reece, olb, 6-0, 220, Archbishop Rummel HS, Metairie, La. Michael Robinson, olb, 6-1, 205, Allatoona HS, Acworth, Ga. David Rueth, olb, 6-1, 205, Archbishop Alter HS, Kettering, Ohio Poni Tu’uta, dt, 6-4, 290, John Curtis Christian, New Orleans, La. Thomas Allen, lb, 6-3, 235, Plant Senior HS, Tampa, Fla. Britt Beery, wr, 6-6, 270, Carmel HS, Carmel, Ind. Juwan Burgess, db, 6-1, 185, Plant Senior HS, Tampa, Fla. De’Morreal Burnam, lb, 6-2, 215, Salem HS, Conyers, Ga. Morgan Ellison, rb, 6-1, 227, Pickerington HS Central, Pickerington, Ohio Bryant Fitzgerald, db, 6-0, 200, Avon HS, Avon, Ind. Tyrese Fryfogle, wr, 6-2, 205, George County HS, Lucedale, Miss. Juan Harris, dl, 6-3, 370, Parker HS, Janesville, Wis. Peyton Hendershot, te, 6-4, 227, Tri-West Jr-Sr HS, Lizton, Ind. LaDamion Hunt, db, 6-0, 180, Carrollton HS, Carrollton, Ga. Caleb Jones, ol, 6-8, 370, Lawrence North HS, Indianapolis, Ind. Tyler Knight, ol, 6-4, 275, Northside Christian School, Saint Petersburg, Fla. Raheem Layne, db, 6-1, 185, Sebastian River HS, Sebastian, Fla. Mike McGinnis, lb, 6-2, 235, Allentown HS, ASA NY College, Allentown, NJ Leshaun Minor, dl, 6-3, 285, Ben Davis HS, Indianapolis, Ind. Craig Nelson, rb, 5-10, 185, Booker T Washington HS, Miami Fla Whop Philyor, wr, 5-11, 185, Plant Senior HS, Tampa, Fla. Tramar Reece, dl, 6-4, 220, Clearwater HS, Clearwater, Fla. Nick Tronti, qb, 6-2, 215, Ponte Vedra HS, Ponte Vedra, Fla. Haydon Whitehead, p, 6-2, 195, McKinnon Secondary, Melbourne, Canada Michael Ziemba, ath, 6-3, 260, Lake Mary HS, Lake Mary, Fla. Henrik Barndt, de, 6-5, 250, Ralston Valley HS, Arvada, Colo. Trashawn Britt Jr., ol, 6-5, 300, Brownsburg HS, Brownsburg, Ind Jackson Byrne, ol, 6-4, 270, West Washington HS, New Albandy, Ind. Khalif Copeland, db, 5-10, 177, Willowbrook, HS, Villa Park, Ill. Ethan Cox, lb, 6-4, 215, Terre Haute South HS, Terre Haute, Ind. Kyle Erickson, ol, 6-4, 295, East Carolina, Fayetteville, N. C. Frederick Fabricius, ol, 6-6, 305, La Lumiere HS, LaPorte, Ind. Ricky Gibson, ol, 6-3, 290, Barron Collier HS, Naples, Fla. Dante Hendrix, wr, 6-2, 175, Randall K. Cooper HS, Florence, Ky. Corey Hicks, db, 5-11, 180, Monroe College, Tampa, Fla. Mariel Jennings, wr, 6-3, 185, Fork Union Military Academy, Richmond, Va. Peterson Kerlegrand, rb, 5-9, 180, Concordia Lutheran HS, Fort Wayne, Ind. Stephon Mayes, olb, 6-1, 241, Louisville Male HS, Louisville Ky. Titus McCot, rb, 5-10, 187, Center Grove HS, Greenwood, Ind. Rontrez Morgan, wr, 5-11, 165, Oakleaf HS, Jacksonville, Fla. Max Morgan-Elliot, ol, 6-3, 270, Wayne HS, Huber Heights, Ohio Rajshawn Mosley, dl, 6-2, 280, Northern Illinois, Indianapolis, Ind. Cade Peratt, te, 6-3, 225, Ralston Valley HS, Arvada, Colo. Jay Perras, ol, 6-4, 302, Neenah, Wis. Kris Reid, olb, 6-2, 205, St. Joseph HS, Bellwood, Ill. Tommy Richardson, lb, 6-2, 235, Bloomington South HS, Bloomington, Ind. Jean Sanon, db, 5-6, 160, Immokalee HS, Immokalee, Fla. DeMarquez Trotter, db, 5-10, 175, East Nashville Magnet HS, Nashville Tenn. Tynam Williams, te, 6-3, 225, New Prairie HS, LaPorte, Ind. David Adams, lb, 6-2, 225, Central Catholic HS, Pittsburgh, Pa. Aaron Banks, ol, 6-5, 320, El Cerrito Senior HS, El Cerrito, Calif. Avery Davis, qb, 6-0, 192, Cedar Hill HS, Cedar Hill, Texas Jonathan Doerer, k, 6-3, 188, South Mecklenburg HS, Charlotte, N. C. Darnell Ewell, dl, 6-4, 280, Lake Taylor HS, Norfolk, Va. Jordan Genmark-Heath, saf, 6-2, 205, Cathedral Catholic HS, San Diego, Calif. Dillan Gibbons, ol, 6-4, 310, Central Catholic HS, Clearwater, Fla. Robert Hainsey, ol, 6-5, 270, IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. Kurt Hinish, dl, 6-2, 285, Central Catholic HS, Pittsburgh, Pa. C. J. Holmes, ath, 6-0, 196, Cheshire Academy, Cheshire, Conn. Cole Kmet, te, 6-4, 235, St. Viator HS, Arlington Hts, Ill. Josh Lugg, ol, 6-6, 280, North Allegheny SHS, Wexford, Pa. Jonathon MacCollister, dl, 6-3, 244, Bishop Moore Catholic HS, Orlando, Fla. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, lb, 6-2, 205, Bethel HS, Hampton, Va. Isaiah Robertson, saf, 6-1, 195, Neuqua Valley HS, Naperville, Ill. Myron Tagovailoa, dl, 6-4, 250, Kapolei HS, Kapolei, Hawaii Kofi Wardlow, dl, 6-3, 210, St. John’s College HS, Washington, D. C. Drew White, lb, 6-1, 220, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Brock Wright, te, 6-5, 240, Cy-Fair HS, Cypress, Texas Michael Young, wr, 5-10, 178, Destrehan HS, Destrehan, La. Jacob Abrams, db, 6-2, 185, Carmel HS, Carmel, Ind. Griffin Alstott, qb, 6-2, 195, Northside Christian School, Saint Petersburg, Fla. Derrick Barnes, lb, 6-1, 235, Holy Cross HS, Covington, Ky. Keyron Catlett, wr, 5-10, 170, Chrst Co HS, Hopkinsville, Ky. Allen Daniels, dl, 6-2, 310, Dacula HS, Dacula, Ga. D. J. Edwards, wr, 6-2, 180, Palm Beach Lakes HS, West Palm Beach, Fla. Tyler Hamilton, wr, 5-9, 165, Hilton Head HS, Hilton Head Island, S. C. Kai Higgins, de, 6-4, 245, Chaffey College, Pomona, CA Jalen Jackson, ol, 6-6, 260, Grayson HS, Loganville, Ga. Jalen Jackson, og, 6-3, 260, McEachern HS, Powder Springs, Ga. T. J. Jallow, cb, 6-2, 205, East Mississippi C. C., Olive Branch, Miss Cornel Jones, lb, 6-2, 230, Miami Central, Miami FL Tobias Larry, lb, 6-1, 200, Kathleen Senior HS, Lakeland, Fla. Dedrick Mackey, db, 5-11, 165, Booker T. Washington HS, Miami, Fla. Robert McWilliams, de, 6-4, 210, Coral Gables Senior HS, Coral Gables, Fla. Darius Pittman, te, 6-3, 235, St Stanislaus Bay Saint Louis, Miss. Giovanni Reviere, dl, 6-5, 270, McCallie HS, Nick Sipe, qb, 6-4, 190, Villa Park HS, Villa Park, Calif. Ethan Smart, ol, 6-6, 290, Northeast Mississippi C. C.,Southaven, Miss. Mark Stickford, olb, 6-6, 260, Carmel HS, Carmel, Ind. DJ Washington, ol, 6-4, 275, Ballard, Louisville, KY Terry Wright, wr, 5-11, 170, Coffeyville C. C., Memphis, Tenn. Isaac Zico, wr, 6-0, 190, Georgia Military College, Milledgeville, Ga. MORE Need a break? Play a quick game of solitaire or Sudoku. Or take one of our fun quizzes! With the second month of 2017 around the corner, see what events will be happening around town.
Signing Day 2017: Local college football teams’ incoming classes rssfeeds.freep.com 2017-02-02 01:27 The Associated wtop.com
House to vote on sex education parental notification bill
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Parents would get advance notice before their children learn about sex in schools under a bill up for a vote in the New Hampshire House. House lawmakers are voting on several bills Thursday related to education. One would require school districts to provide parents at least two weeks' notice about certain subject material, including material related to human sexuality and reproduction.
Current law allows parents to opt out if they object to course material but does not require parental notification. Supporters say the proposed change would allow parents to talk to their children before the lesson and follow up with them after. Opponents say it will create a greater stigma about sex education and could affect curricula ranging from science to literature.
GOP House votes to reject stream protection rule rss.cnn.com 2017-02-02 01:18 The Associated www.thenewstribune.com
Pregnant Beyonce print mesmerises America
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Less than dual weeks into Donald Trump’s presidency, it seemed a customarily news from here on out would be political. The new boss and his flurry of executive orders and swift-moving, concrete changes to US process and procession seemed to leave small oxygen for any other headlines. But even President Trump lacks a star energy of Queen Bee. Prior to a inauguration, some fans joked that Beyonce should dump an manuscript as Trump was being sworn in, and in doing so take a spotlight from a new commander in chief. Beyonce did one better: she announced, via a glowing print on Instagram , that she would be dropping something else – dual something elses, in fact. That’s right – Beyonce is carrying twins. “I literally tripped and fell during a grave Fulbright cooking since we found out Beyonce was profound with twins,” wrote one lady on Twitter. Other amicable media users were reduction articulate, relying on gifs and emojis to showcase their elation. The print showed Beyonce kneeling in front of a hulk sidestep of roses, wearing blue satin knickers and a maroon bra. She is lonesome with a prolonged immature veil, and is already heavily pregnant. “This pic is a absolute matter on bodies, maternity a sacred. Beyonce continues to pull us to reimagine womanhood. A feminist icon,” gushed author Laura Rankin. It’s wise that Beyonce used Instagram to send her news. Twitter has turn an all-out fight section between alt-right egg accounts and a veteran left. Facebook is full of posts from friends and kin vagrant people to call their Senators, pointer a petition, or attend a subsequent march. Instagram has remained a amicable media Switzerland: there, it’s zero though home-decorating photos, artfully staged food and lovable babies – an apolitical oasis in these uneasy times. Beyonce’s news was absolute adequate to move some of a Insta-tranquility over to a rest of amicable media, and for a brief hour or so domestic Twitter was gradual with jokes about Beyonce’s baby showering and several plays on “Betwice”. Possible name suggestions enclosed Yellow and Red Ivy – her five-year-old daughter with Jay Z is Blue Ivy Carter. It was roughly like 2016 again. That’s not to contend her proclamation was particularly apolitical. As one comedian on Twitter noted, “there are some-more black people in Beyonce right now, than in Trumps whole cupboard team.” Some also saw a spirit of politics in a timing: a news came on 1 February, a initial day of Black History Month. “BEYONCE WAITED UNTIL BLACK HISTORY MONTH BECAUSE SHE LOVES US SO” wrote New York Magazine author Rembert Brown, who is not customarily given to all caps. It was a some-more wise flog off for many than a residence given by President Trump progressing in a day, in that he called Frederick Douglass, America’s many poignant abolitionist, “someone who has finished a superb pursuit that is being recognized by some-more and some-more people”. That had some wondering if he even knew who Douglass was . When a contributor asked Mr Trump’s press secretary for some-more clarity, it customarily got worse, and as a outcome Douglass was trending on Twitter today, too. “Beyonce would commemorate a initial day of Black History Month by vouchsafing us all know she’s bringing some-more black chairman sorcery into a world,” wrote one Twitter user. In an epoch when many activists are endangered that Donald Trump’s policies and his collect for profession General, Jeff Sessions, will be unpropitious to American polite rights, a supersized Beyonce pregnancy was a acquire daze – and a reminder, however slight, that time marches on.
Heathrow’s third runway will meant ‘more domestic airfield links’ headlinenewstoday.net
Radio DJ Mark Goodier praises wife’s movement after flourishing a stroke headlinenewstoday.net
Dame Vera Lynn breaks possess record with new manuscript during 100 headlinenewstoday.net
2017-02-02 04:37 admin headlinenewstoday.net
Legal costs help push Deutsche Bank to $2 billion Q4 loss
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Deutsche Bank says it lost 1.89 billion euros ($2.02 billion) in the fourth quarter as charges related to the sale of its Abbey Life unit and costs for legal fines and penalties weighed on the bottom line. The bank nonetheless strengthened an important measure of its financial solidity in the quarter. CEO John Cryan said Germany's largest lender was making progress in completing a painful restructuring. He said at the bank's annual news conference Thursday that 2016 had been "anything but easy" but emphasized progress in shedding risky assets, cutting costs, streamlining computer systems and resolving legal investigations. He cautioned that "we are only beginning to see these achievements reflected in the financial results. " The fourth-quarter loss was smaller than a 2.12 billion euro loss from the equivalent period the year before. Earnings in the last three months of 2016 were hit by the disposal of Abbey Life for regulatory reasons, a move which led to financial charges of 1.0 billion euros. The quarter also saw costs for legal fines and penalties of 1.6 billion euros. The bank made a loss of 1.4 billion euros for all of 2016, a year in which it saw its share price buffeted by market fears it would be hit with a large settlement for legal issues in the United States. That annual loss was a marked improvement on 2015's 6.8 billion euros when the bank also had large charges for the fallen value of some of its businesses and for litigation. The bank saw its core capital ratio — a key regulatory measure of its capital buffers against unexpected losses on investments — rise to 11.9 percent from 11.1 percent at the end of the third quarter. The bank has successfully wound up its non-core operations unit, where it had put assets that it sought to get rid of. Deutsche Bank's earnings have suffered as it sheds riskier activities and assets to meet tougher regulation in the wake of the financial crisis, and as it struggles to put legal and regulatory issues related to past misconduct. The bank this month agreed to pay $7.2 billion to U. S. authorities over its sale of securities based on mortgages blamed for helping start the financial crisis. It has also announced job cuts and withdrawal from some less important markets. The bank's shares had fluctuated wildly after a report that the U. S. mortgage settlement could be as high as $14 billion. The report led to speculation the bank might need to raise additional capital.
Deutsche Bank posts $2 billion loss in fourth quarter as litigation costs weigh cnbc.com 2017-02-02 04:27 By DAVID www.heraldonline.com
Sony records 84 pct quarterly profit drop on movie loss
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Japanese electronics and entertainment company Sony Corp. reported Thursday an 84 percent profit drop in October-December, as losses in its movie division offset healthy results in its video game business. Tokyo-based Sony, which makes the PlayStation 4 game machine and Bravia TVs, reported a fiscal third quarter profit of 19.6 billion yen ($174 million), down from 120.1 billion yen the previous year. Quarterly sales slipped 7 percent to 2.4 trillion yen ($21.3 billion), mainly because of unfavorable foreign exchange rates, the company said Thursday. Sony also lowered its full year fiscal profit forecast because of a $962 million write-down in its film division, stemming from its acquisition of Columbia Pictures in 1989. Sony announced what's called "goodwill impairment," lowering the profitability projection from its movie division, earlier this week. The company now expects a 26 billion yen ($231 million) profit for the fiscal year ending March 2017. It had earlier projected a 60 billion yen ($532 million) profit. It posted a 147.8 billion yen profit the previous fiscal year. Sony said its movie business was expected to improve, stressing the decrease in quarterly profit was partly because of the huge success of "Spectre," a James Bond film, and "Hotel Transylvania," an animation about Dracula, the same period last year. Sony Pictures works released during the third quarter included "Passengers" and "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk," directed by Ang Lee. Neither were blockbusters. Sony said Chief Executive Kazuo Hirai will take a bigger role overseeing the movie business, keeping another office in California, to lead a turnaround. He will also find a successor to Michael Lynton, who had headed Sony's entertainment but resigned earlier this month to take a position at Snapchat, it said. Sony has a sprawling business, spanning music to household appliances, making it hard for it to do well constantly in every sector.
In the latest quarter, PlayStation 4 game software and machine sales and the contribution from its Virtual Reality headset called VR helped boost profits in that division. Its computer chip sector also fared well on the growth of image sensor sales for mobile products. In its music business, best-sellers included Pentatonix's "A Pentatonix Christmas," Leonard Cohen's "You Want it Darker," and "Sayonara no Imi," by Nogizakia46, according to Sony. Sony, known for inventing the Walkman portable player, suffered losses in its once prized TV business for years. Recent improvements highlight the company's renewed focus on profitability. It has also sold some assets, such as its Vaio personal computer business. Sony is also enjoying a strong reputation for still and digital video cameras, but the company said an unfavorable exchange rate eroded such gains. Its smartphone offerings have failed to stack up against Apple's iPhone or Samsung Electronics Co.'s Galaxy line. ___ Follow Yuri Kageyama on Twitter at https://twitter.com/yurikageyama Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/yuri-kageyama
Losses of $913 Million at Sony’s Pictures Division Cut Group Profits variety.com 2017-02-02 04:17 By YURI www.thenewstribune.com
South Korea president's office to block search of compound
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Prosecutors will not be allowed to search South Korea's presidential compound as part of their investigation of the massive corruption scandal that toppled President Park Geun-hye from power, the president's office said Thursday. Prosecutors are pushing to question Park and search the Blue House for information around the scandal that led to her impeachment in December. The Constitutional Court is holding a trial to decide whether to formally unseat her. Park has said she's willing to be questioned. But her office opposes any search and says a law blocks searches in areas with state secrets unless such prevention gravely undermines national interests. Jung Youn-kuk, a Blue House spokesman, said its opposition to searches remains unchanged, disputing a media report that it decided to allow some searches. The office of the special prosecutors still wants to search Blue House sites suspected of being linked to the scandal. Spokesman Lee Kyu-chul said the offices of presidential advisers and security staff could be the target but didn't say how prosecutors could search without Blue House cooperation. Park faces allegations that she let her confidante manipulate government affairs and extort money from businesses. Her confidante and several former presidential aides have been arrested on related charges.
South Korea President's Office to Block Search of Compound abcnews.go.com 2017-02-02 04:17 The Associated www.miamiherald.com
AstraZeneca says fourth-quarter revenue fell 13 percent
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LONDON (AP) - Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca says fourth-quarter revenue fell 13 percent after the cholesterol treatment Crestor lost patent protection in the United States. Total revenue dropped to $5.59 billion from $6.40 billion in the same period a year earlier. Crestor sales fell 52 percent to $631 million as generic competitors ate into its market share. AstraZeneca says Crestor is the last of its so-called blockbuster drugs - those with annual sales over $1 billion - to lose patent protection before new treatments start coming to market. AstraZeneca has been cutting costs so it can devote more resources to cancer drugs. Sales of cancer treatments rose 30 percent to $930 million, driven by the introduction of the lung cancer drug Tagrisso. Net income rose to $1.84 billion from $808 million. Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
AstraZeneca Says Fourth-Quarter Revenue Fell 13 Percent abcnews.go.com 2017-02-02 04:16 www.cbs46.com
Dems in Trump states face pressure on Supreme Court pick
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As President Donald Trump presses for Senate confirmation of his Supreme Court nominee, Judge Neil Gorsuch, much of the initial, intense pressure will be on moderate Democrats, especially those up for re-election next year in states that Trump won handily. Some of those senators are keeping their options open, saying they will wait to meet with the nominee and make a decision in time. Some have signaled or pledged opposition. Led by Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, Democrats are insisting that Gorsuch get 60 votes of support in the 100-member Senate, saying that would make it clear that Gorsuch is mainstream enough to be confirmed. It's unclear if Republicans, with a 52-48 majority, will be able to woo the eight Democrats they need.
Trump Supreme Court Pick Gorsuch Makes Atheists Sad dailycaller.com 2017-02-02 04:15 By MARY www.charlotteobserver.com
SA car sales: 2017 starts with modest growth
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POSITIVE START: January 2017 laid a positive foundation for new vehicle sales for the rest of the year. Image: iStock Cape Town - In amplification of the new vehicle sales statistics for January , the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers (Naamsa) commented that new vehicle sales had started 2017 on a positive note. Export sales of new motor vehicles had, however, registered a decline principally due to factory refurbishment work at one of the major plants. Positive signs In the event, January 2017's aggregate new vehicle sales at 50 333 units had registered a welcome, albeit modest, improvement of 1819 vehicles or a gain of 3.7% compared to the 48 514 vehicles sold in January 2016. January 2017 export sales at 11 659 units reflected a decline of 1342 vehicles or a fall of 10.3% compared to the 13 001 vehicles exported in January last year. Overall, out of the total reported Industry sales of 50 333 vehicles, an estimated 35 379 units or 70.3% represented dealer sales, 23.8% represented sales to the vehicle rental Industry, 3.1% to Industry corporate fleets and 2.8% to government.
For the first time in fourteen months, the new car market had registered an increase on the corresponding month of the previous year. In the event, the January 2017 new car market at 36 794 units reflected a fairly substantial improvement of 1661 cars or a gain of 4.7% compared to the 35 133 new cars sold in January last year. The car rental industry had made a strong contribution and had accounted for 31.8% of new car sales in January 2017. Domestic sales of industry new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini buses at 11 977 units during January 2017 reflected an improvement of 187 units or a gain of 1.6% compared to the 11 790 light commercial vehicles sold during the corresponding month last year. READ: SA car sales - #FordKuga sales slump by 50% in January READ: New bakkie sales - Ranger outsells Hilux in January READ: South Africa's 10 top-selling luxury SUVs in January Stronger rand Domestically, says Naamsa, a number of key indicators including the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) and the Reserve Bank’s leading indicator held out the possibility of a significant improvement in South Africa’s medium term economic outlook. Particularly noteworthy was the substantial increase in the leading business cycle indicator which had now risen for four consecutive months. Together with the positive impact of the easing of drought conditions and projected global economic growth of around 3.4%, as well as rand strength which should benefit new vehicle pricing, these factors should contribute positively to sales of new motor vehicles, whilst export sales were expected to benefit from the projected improvement in global economic conditions. Premised on expected improvement in key economic indicators, Naamsa predicts that domestic sales could regain some traction during the course of the year and, at this stage, Naamsa anticipated aggregate annual volume improvement of up to 3.5%.
Daimler sees slight growth in 2017 operating profit, sales cnbc.com 2017-02-02 04:02 www.wheels24.co.za
At least one killed after car crashes into Bronx roundabout
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A woman was killed and a man was critically injured after their car erupted in flames when it flipped into a Bronx roundabout late Wednesday, authorities said. The 32-year-old man was driving a Dodge Durango from Pelham to City Island when he rammed into the City Island Circle and overturned around 11:40 p.m., officials said. An off-duty cop were among the first to discover the upside down car on fire, and helped extracting the duo from the wreck, police said. The female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene, and officials said the driver was taken to Jacobi Hospital in critical condition. Man charged with killing victim after opening fire on NYC street The off-duty cop suffered non-life threatening injuries and was also taken to Jacobi. The wrecked car could be seen in a heap in the middle of the busy roundabout. Over at Jacobi, more than 15 officers guarded the emergency room, with a dozen squad cars parked outside.
One woman killed, another man injured in tragic Bronx crash nypost.com 2017-02-02 03:41 Aidan Mclaughlin feeds.nydailynews.com
Asian shares slip, dollar wobbles as Fed keeps rates steady
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HONG KONG - Asian markets retreated and the dollar wobbled Thursday after the Fed kept its key lending rate on hold as expected at its latest policy meeting. KEEPING SCORE: Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index slipped 1.2 percent to 18,914.58 as the stronger yen weighed on exporters, while South Korea’s Kospi dipped 0.5 percent to 2,070.64. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 0.7 percent to 23,160.60 and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.1 percent lower to 5,645.40. Markets in mainland China were closed for the final day of a weeklong holiday. Southeast Asian indexes were mostly lower. CENTRAL BANKING: The Federal Reserve left a key interest rate on hold after its latest policy meeting, as investors had expected. Policymakers signaled that they still expect to gradually raise rates but gave no clear timeline. Markets are keeping an eye on the outcome of the Bank of England’s policy meeting expected later in the day, though no change is expected. EARNINGS SEASON: Investors are assessing the latest corporate earnings reports. Highlights include Facebook, which said fourth-quarter earnings more than doubled to nearly $3.6 billion, blowing past Wall Street forecasts. Sony was due to release its latest results after trading closes in Tokyo.
U. S. DATA: Factory activity expanded at the fastest rate in more than two years in January, according to a monthly survey by the Institute for Supply Management. Meanwhile, employment strengthened at U. S. companies for the same month, according to a survey by ADP. The reports add further evidence that the world’s biggest economy continues to improve but investors may be growing wary of risky investments in light of U. S. President Donald Trump’s unexpected policy announcements since taking office. MARKET VIEW: “Donald Trump’s presidency comes with greater than normal risks,” Shane Oliver, head of investment strategy at AMP Capital Investors in Sydney, said in a report. Eventually, “pragmatic pro-growth policies are likely to ultimately dominate populist policies. However, the Trump honeymoon with investors is likely over with a short term period of correction/volatility likely to continue in shares, bond yields and the U. S. dollar.” WALL STREET: Major U. S. benchmarks were little changed. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 0.1 percent to close at 19,890.94. The Standard & Poor’s 500 eked out a tiny gain to end at 2,279.55. The Nasdaq composite added 0.5 percent to 5,642.65. CURRENCIES: The dollar eased to 112.59 yen from 112.98 yen in late trading Wednesday. The euro crept up to $1.0794 from $1.0778.
ENERGY: U. S. crude oil futures slipped 24 cents to $53.64 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract added $1.07, or 2 percent, to close at $53.88 a barrel on Wednesday. Brent crude, the benchmark for international oil prices, lost 19 cents to $56.61 a barrel in London.
Asian shares waver, dollar soft after Fed keeps rates steady cbs46.com 2017-02-02 03:32 Kelvin Chan rssfeeds.usatoday.com
Playing in front of his father, Steph carries on family tradition and then some
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OAKLAND — Conspiracy theorists believe that if Stephen Curry were to leave the Golden State Warriors after his contract expires this offseason, it would be to go play for his hometown team, the Charlotte Hornets. But, if he did that, he wouldn’t be able to play against them, and Steph loves to play against Charlotte. In four games against the Hornets over the last two seasons, he’s averaged 34.5 points per game while shooting 61.2 percent from beyond the 3-point line. On Wednesday, after missing the last game due to a bout with the flu, he scored 39 points (11-for-15 on threes) and threw eight assists while not committing a turnover. And he did all that damage in front of his father, Dell, who is a broadcaster for Charlotte and hit a long-distance shot himself before the game.
“I don’t take those opportunities [to play in front of his dad] for granted because it’s an unbelievable opportunity to play the game that [Dell] played for 16 years in the NBA and carry on that name in the league,” Steph said. “… When I see him, I do appreciate that night a little more than others because of what he means to my basketball career and my life.” When Steph was in the eighth grade, it wasn’t easy for Dell to watch his oldest son play despite his dominance. “I felt bad for the other team,” Dell said, recalling to Sports Illustrated a 60-plus-point performance by his son. “I couldn’t watch what he was doing to those kids.” To Dell’s credit, he completed the broadcast. But, the bigger point is that MVP-caliber Steph is undeniably back — regardless of who the Dubs are playing. He’s scored at least 20 points (averaging 27.8 per night) in the last 14 games while shooting 43.1 percent from deep. “People were locked in on his percentage was a little down, which was neurotic because the numbers were still off the charts for anyone else,” head coach Steve Kerr said. “You just know that Steph is capable of incredible games like tonight, streaks, stretches, whatever you want to call it.” Remember when most of the NBA talking heads were loudly asserting the Steph of yesteryear went was gone? At this point, I bet they pretend they don’t remember saying it either. Contact Jacob C. Palmer at
[email protected] or on Twitter, @jacobc_palmer.
Splash Bros go off as Warriors jump the Hornets sfexaminer.com 2017-02-02 03:28 By www.sfexaminer.com
Thai media protest proposed licenses for journalists
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Thai media organizations are protesting a bill that would require journalists to be licensed and would establish a council that can penalize news outlets for violating professional standards. The bill was submitted Thursday to a military-appointed body tasked with reforming the Thai government. Journalists delivered a protest letter to the body and four former journalists resigned from the group that authored the bill. "It will bring Thailand back to the dark ages, when state power was in control of the media," says Thepchai Yong, president of the Confederation of Thai Journalists. The government says the legislation is needed to clean up corruption and prevent false reporting. But critics say it is a way for officials to avoid scrutiny.
The Thai press is already kept on a leash. Self-censorship is widespread due to Thailand's draconian lese majeste laws, under which insulting the monarchy can land someone up to 15 years in jail. Last July, the ruling junta gave regulators the power to shut down broadcasters deemed a threat to national security, and in December the junta passed a cybercrime act that strengthens online censorship. The bill was given to the National Reform Steering Assembly, the body that heads various subcommittees that are tasked with enacting political reform by Thailand's military junta, including the media. Thepchai delivered the protest letter to the steering assembly, while the four former reporters resigned because they said their views were ignored. Journalists said it was unacceptable that the bill would require individual reporters to be vetted and licensed by the government. "This is unprecedented. Journalists don't need practicing licenses," said Thepchai. "By licensing the media, it means you have direct control over them. " Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha has said that all professions need to be trained and standardized, and that journalists were no exception. Coauthors of the bill say licenses are necessary to deter false reporting and corruption. "Be a good man and good woman, and tell the truth... don't do this gray business," said Kanit Suwannate, air chief marshal and chairman of the committee that proposed the bill. "(Misreporting) has occurred, but I cannot tell you the evidence, because they try to hide the way they run the business. " The bill will be debated by the steering assembly. Then it must be approved by the Thai cabinet and parliament before becoming law.
The proposed 13-member media ethics committee would have four seats reserved for government officials, and would set standards and "codes of conduct," and would have the power to fine and confiscate the licenses of broadcasters and newspapers that violated them. Journalists say because of the nature of Thai politics, the government appointees would be able to put pressure on other council members.
Thai Media Protest Proposed Licenses for Journalists abcnews.go.com 2017-02-02 03:26 By DAKE www.heraldonline.com
Kansas keeps pushing toward 13th straight Big 12 title
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Some things to watch this week in the Big 12:
GAME OF THE WEEKEND: Third-ranked Kansas took a big step toward its 13th straight Big 12 title when it beat No. 2 Baylor on Wednesday night. But the Jayhawks still have a big task ahead Saturday when Iowa State visits Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks (20-2, 8-1) and the Cyclones (13-8, 5-4) have played some epic games the last few years, and Kansas won 76-72 last month in Ames. LOOKING AHEAD: The Bears (20-2, 7-2) need to rebound from their loss in Allen Fieldhouse when they face reeling Kansas State (15-7, 4-5) on Saturday. The Wildcats lost in overtime to TCU (15-7, 4-5), which returns home to face struggling Texas (813, 2-6). The other Big 12 games Saturday pit West Virginia (18-4, 6-3) against Oklahoma State (14-8, 3-6) and Texas Tech (15-7, 3-6) against Oklahoma (8-13, 2-7).
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Jawun Evans scored 24 points to lead Oklahoma State past Oklahoma on Monday night, but he was just 5 of 20 from the field. He was 11 of 16 at the foul line. ... The Cowboys have now won four straight after a six-game losing streak. ... West Virginia has won three straight after beating Iowa State on the road Tuesday night. ... Kansas State has dropped three straight after blowing a lead and losing to TCU in overtime Wednesday night. Following a weak nonconference schedule, the Wildcats now face a massive uphill battle to reach the NCAA Tournament. PLAYER TO WATCH: Kansas coach Bill Self was stunned when he learned Josh Jackson was not the Big 12 player of the week, despite the freshman forward's 20-point, 10-rebound performance at Kentucky. But the award went instead to Evans, who merely averaged 21.5 points, eight assists and 4.5 rebounds in leading the Cowboys to a pair of wins last week. He followed it up with a big night against the Sooners. ON THE WOMEN'S SIDE: The final hurdles to No. 2 Baylor and No. 12 Texas meeting with unblemished conference records are this weekend. The Lady Bears (22-1, 11-0) visit Texas Tech on Saturday while the Longhorns (17-4, 11-0) play Kansas State. The first of two regular-season matchups between Baylor and Texas in a two-week span occurs Monday night in Waco, Texas. ___ Complied by AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta in Lawrence, Kan.
Jackson leads No. 3 Kansas to 73-68 win over No. 2 Baylor cbs46.com 2017-02-02 03:16 The Associated www.charlotteobserver.com
Gasol scores 24 as Grizzlies beat Nuggets, 119-99
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DENVER (AP) — Marc Gasol is a big fan of Denver big man Nikola Jokic. That said, he sure didn't mind taking advantage of his absence Wednesday night. Gasol scored 24 points, Mike Conley had 18 and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the short-handed Nuggets 119-99. Memphis led for most of the game and won its third in a row, all on the road, and fourth in five games. "It feels like we've finally got a good little stride going," Conley said. "I definitely think this is one of the best stretches we've played. " Emmanuel Mudiay had 14 points, seven assists and six rebounds in his return to the Nuggets' lineup. Denver came in without Jokic (left hip flexor strain) and Will Barton (left ankle soreness). Jokic averaged 23 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in January before getting hurt. The injury deprived Gasol the chance to play against the 21-year-old Serb. "I love Jokic. I love him," Gasol said. "That's one of the reasons I watch Denver is because of Nikola. I love his game. " The Nuggets were trying to overcome his absence when two more players went down. Point guard Jameer Nelson was ejected just 4:07 into the game, leaving the Nuggets with three guards, and leading scorer Danilo Gallinari exited late in the third quarter with a left groin strain. Nuggets coach Michael Malone said Nelson was hit with two quick technicals after he went to the bench with two fouls. "J. T. Orr made the decision to give him a tech, Jameer had something to add and he gave him another tech," Malone said. "That's where the referee can walk away, give a warning. J. T. felt it warranted a second tech and that's his prerogative as an official. " That compromised Malone's ability to match up with Memphis. "This was one of the harder games I've had to coach all year. We're already thin because of injuries and then Jameer gets thrown out (four) minutes into the game," he said. "So trying to juggle all that and Gallo goes down, it was a very tough game from every facet. " The Grizzlies took advantage of a tired Nuggets team that lost on the road to the Lakers on Tuesday. They led by 16 in the first half and increased it to 19 in the third when Gasol had 10 points. Memphis stretched the lead to 25 midway through the fourth quarter. TIP-INS Grizzlies: The last time Memphis won three in a row was when it reeled off five straight from Dec. 1-10. The last of those was a 21-point win over Golden State. ... G Wade Baldwin IV was assigned to the Iowa Energy of the D League on Tuesday.
Nuggets: Malone said Gallinari will get an MRI on Thursday morning. He said it appeared the groin bothered him throughout the first half before giving way in the third quarter. ... Barton had an MRI done on his injured left ankle, but the results weren't announced. He missed 11 games during two different stretches earlier this season with a left ankle injury. ... The Nuggets were held below 100 points for the first time in 12 games. BRIGHT FUTURE Memphis coach David Fizdale was around Nuggets forward Mike Miller for three seasons when they were both with the Miami Heat, and even back then he saw the makings of a coach — or more. "Mike is a super-high IQ player and guys always like him," Fizdale said. "Mike can do anything he wanted to in basketball. If Mike wanted to be a GM, he can be a GM; if he wanted to coach, he can coach. " Miller has played sparingly in his one-plus season with Denver, but he still is a commanding presence in the locker room. Fizdale said that's because he can relate to anyone. "Mike Miller just has a brotherly quality about him," Fizdale said. "He relates to everyone; that's the thing that makes him special. No matter what color you are, what year you are in the league, it doesn't matter. He finds a way to connect with his guys. " UP NEXT Grizzlies: At Oklahoma City on Friday night. Nuggets: Host Milwaukee on Friday night. Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Gasol scores 24 as Grizzlies beat Nuggets sports.inquirer.net 2017-02-02 03:08 AP rssfeeds.usatoday.com
Cuba and Mexico win in 1st round of Caribbean Series
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MEXICO CITY (AP) — Chris Roberson hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning and Mexico defeated Puerto Rico 4-2 on Wednesday night in the first round of the Caribbean Series. In the opening game, Cuba blanked the Dominican Republic 4-0 behind starting pitcher Lazaro Blanco. Roberson's homer capped a three-run rally in the seventh for Aguilas de Mexicali. Daniel Rodriguez allowed one hit in six scoreless innings before Derrick Loop got the win in relief. Jake Sanchez earned a save. Fernando Cabrera took the loss for the Criollos de Cagua from Puerto Rico. "I'm satisfied with the performance. Daniel Rodriguez gave us a great start and we know that we have good relievers," Mexico manager Roberto Vizcarra said. "Fortunately, Roberson (homered) in the seventh and we were able to give these fans a victory. " Blanco pitched into the seventh inning and Roel Santos had two RBIs for Alazanes de Granma from Cuba. The 29-year-old Blanco, the ace of the Alazanes staff, allowed five hits over 6 1/3 innings with six strikeouts for Cuba, looking for its second Caribbean championship in three years. "I was focused on doing a great job. It was important to start off this Series with a win," Blanco said. "Things went really well for us. I'm very happy to get the win. " Santos went 2 for 4 with a triple in the first inning and a double during a three-run fifth. Ivan Pineyro took the loss for the Tigres de Licey from the Dominican Republic. He gave up four runs in 4 1/3 innings. The Dominican Republic will face Mexico on Thursday, and Cuba will play Puerto Rico on Friday. Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Cuba beats Dominican Republic 4-0 in Caribbean Series opener charlotteobserver.com 2017-02-02 03:07 AP rssfeeds.usatoday.com
Maui's 'top of the world' sunrise view leads to overcrowding
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By AUDREY McAVOY and CALEB JONES, Associated Press HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii — Well before dawn each morning, throngs of tourists from around the world make their way to Maui's tallest peak, a dormant volcano, to see what Mark Twain called the "sublimest spectacle" he ever witnessed. They drive up a long, winding road through the clouds to an otherworldly, lava-rock landscape at 10,000 feet. Then they bundle up and take their place for a dazzling daybreak show. "Just the sunrise from the top of the world — it's pretty remarkable and incomparable," Julia Grant of Mission British Columbia, Canada, said on a recent visit after watching the sun peek out from the horizon and saturate the sky in endless shades of yellow, orange and red. Over the past year, the sunrise view from atop Haleakala — Hawaiian for "House of the Sun" — has been attracting over a thousand people a day. The result, officials say, was a logjam of cars spilling out of the parking lots and onto the road, creating a safety hazard, and footsteps trampling sensitive habitat. To address the problem, the National Park Service this week started requiring reservations and limiting the number of vehicles to the volcano's available parking spaces, potentially cutting in half the number of early-morning visitors. Sunrise viewing has long been popular at Haleakala, one of the main attractions at Haleakala National Park, despite morning temperatures that often dip into the 30s. Red soil and lava rocks dominate the summit, and only a few hearty plants have adapted to its harsh, high-altitude conditions. The peak also is home to the nene, the Hawaiian goose, and colonies of spiders that feast on bugs blown in from the surrounding wilderness.
Overcrowding started becoming a problem roughly 15 years ago, park superintendent Natalie Gates said. About a year ago, it got worse, likely as more people learned about the stunning sunrise views from images posted on Facebook and other social media sites. "If you ever went up there, you would see that fully half to three-quarters of our visitors who are watching the sunrise are either taking photos that they immediately broadcast to their friends, or filming it," Gates said. The area at and near the summit has 150 parking spaces, but before the new system took effect, more than 300 rental cars and other vehicles often crammed onto Haleakala at daybreak. Drivers who couldn't find a spot would park on the side of the road or on the road itself, blocking the way for emergency responders. Though only 16 percent of park visitors come at sunrise, they account for 40 percent of the park's emergency medical calls. "It's a dark place. It's rocky. And when people are moving away from crowds and trying to go off trail, often frequently stumbling around on cliff sides in the dark, we see trauma cases, altitude cases," Gates said. "We sometimes see cardiac and other cases. " Straying humans also trample on seedlings and root systems of the Haleakala silversword, a rare, bush-like plant with thick leaves. And they can disturb the ground nests of the Hawaiian petrel, an endangered seabird. Under the new system, only those driving to the summit between 3 and 7 a.m. need reservations, which cost $1.50 per car plus the $20 park entrance fee.
The system closes to sunrise viewers after the allotted 150 vehicles per morning have made their reservations. The proceeds will pay for the expense of administering the reservation program. People on guided tours won't be affected as tour companies fall under different regulations. Reservations can be made up to two months in advance at the website recreation.gov. Other national parks with similar programs include Yosemite in California, which limits the number of people who can hike to the top of its iconic Half Dome rock formation. The change will require adjustments from people who don't normally plan ahead, said Carol Clark, Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau spokeswoman. But her agency believes the benefits far outweigh any inconvenience. Nettie Kuwamura, a Native Hawaiian who was born and raised on Maui, considers herself a protector of the summit. She reminds tourists to stay off the lava rocks and away from fragile areas. "I'm passionate about this island. I'm passionate about this mountain," Kuwamura said. "It's a very sacred mountain to the Hawaiians. " For the past two years, Kuwamura has been driving tourists to the summit, where she recites a Hawaiian chant to welcome the rising sun each morning. "Once the sun comes up, that's when the beauty comes up," she said. ___ McAvoy reported from Honolulu. Associated Press writer Brian Skoloff contributed to this report.
Maui's 'top of the world' sunrise view leads to overcrowding - News9.com Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports news9.com 2017-02-02 03:06 By www.wral.com
Islamic State kills Syrian soldiers in air base attack - monitors
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BEIRUT, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Islamic State fighters killed at least 14 Syrian soldiers in a fierce attack on a military airport northeast of Damascus, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported on Monday. The British-based Observatory said the ultra-hardline group had launched the assault on Sunday near the al-Seen airport some 70 km (44 miles) from the capital, taking over several positions in the area held by the Syrian army. Islamic State controls vast areas of eastern Syria including most of Deir al-Zor province and its de facto Syrian capital of Raqqa. It seized the historic city of Palmyra, some 200 km from Damascus, in December for the second time in the six-year Syrian conflict, driving out government forces which with Russian military support had recaptured it in March. Islamic State, which declared its self-styled caliphate across areas of northern Iraq and eastern Syria as it swept through the region in 2014, is being beaten in its Iraqi stronghold of Mosul. But it has been on the offensive in recent weeks in Syria, also waging attacks against long-besieged pockets of government control in the city of Deir al-Zor. (Reporting by John Davison)
World briefs: Police arrest Tunisian linked to Islamic State attacks post-gazette.com 2017-02-02 02:56 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk
Matthew McConaughey Says ‘It’s Time to Embrace’ President Trump (Video)
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Matthew McConaughey has a message for Americans still upset over Donald Trump’s presidency even after he’s been sworn in: Get over it. “It’s time for us to embrace, shake hands with this guy and be constructive with him over the next four years,” the actor said in an interview for the U. K.’s “The Andrew Marr Show.”
“Even those who mostly strong disagree with his principles or things he’s said and done — which we’ll see what he does compared to what he had said — no matter how much you disagreed along the way, it’s time to think about how constructive you can be because he’s our president for the next four years at least,” added the Texas native, who was promoting his new drama, “Gold.” Also Read: 'Gold' Marks Matthew McConaughey's Worst Wide Release Opening The actor acknowledged that not everyone in Hollywood is quite so open-minded. “It’s a very dynamic and as divisive of an inauguration and time that we’ve ever had,” he said. “They don’t have a choice now,” he said. “He’s our president.” The Weinstein Company’s “Gold” earned $3.4 million during its debut weekend in North America, marking Matthew McConaughey’s worst wide release opening of his career. Also Read: 'Gold' Review: Matthew McConaughey Digs Up the Unexpected “It’s an underdog story,” McConaughey said of “Gold,” in which he stars as a real-life gold prospector in 1980s Nevada. “This is the guy that nobody bets on … like millions of people in the world, if not billions, that get of bed every day and that don’t have a ticket to the American dream, that are going to have to hustle their way in the back door, the side door, down the chimney and be an entrepreneur and make it their own way,” he said. Watch the video below. "He's our president now, we must embrace, shake hands & be constructive with him" Matthew McConaughey on Trump & new film 'Gold' #marr pic.twitter.com/EvCY7GhLp6 — The Andrew Marr Show (@MarrShow) January 29, 2017 Read original story Matthew McConaughey Says ‘It’s Time to Embrace’ President Trump (Video) At TheWrap
Matthew McConaughey joins small group of stars calling for U.S. to unite behind Trump newsobserver.com 2017-02-02 02:40 Thom Geier www.sfgate.com
Cavs open February with convincing win over Timberwolves
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The Cleveland Cavaliers broke out of their January doldrums in a big way on Wednesday, crushing the Minnesota Timberwolves 125-97 with the help of 27 points from superstar LeBron James. James added 12 assists and teammate Kyrie Irving handed out a career-high 14 assists to go with 14 points as the NBA Champions notched a convincing victory after going 7-8 in January. "After having a bad month like that, pride kicks in at some point," Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue said in a brief in-game television interview. It was the most points scored by the Cavaliers since a December 7 home win over the Knicks. They have won three of their last four to help settle the unease raised by James's dissatisfaction with management's failure to fill an open roster spot and his rumbling war of words with former NBA player turned commentator, Charles Barkley. Tristan Thompson scored 18 points and pulled down 14 rebounds for Cleveland. Channing Frye, starting in place of injured Kevin Love, scored 18 and Kyle Korver came off the bench to contribute 20. "We had a game plan and we executed it," James said, praising "unbelievable playmaker" Irving. James shrugged off the noise surrounding the champions, who held a free-agent work out on Wednesday that included Mario Chalmers, Lance Stephenson, Kirk Hinrich and Jordan Farmar as they consider their options for adding talent with an eye toward a title repeat. James had ripped Barkley as a "hater" after the player turned TV analyst labelled him "whiny" in calling on Cavs ownership to boost the Cavs' talent level. Barkley said Wednesday he stuck by his remarks -- and so did James. "I know what I said and I meant it," James said. "I don't know what he said (in response). I don't get involved with it. " The young Timberwolves team were quick out of the blocks, but the Cavaliers had built a 20 point lead in the third quarter. Irving's layup from a pass from James pushed the lead to 90-70 with four minutes left in the third and Cleveland weren't seriously pressured again. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 26 points and pulled down 12 rebounds and Andrew Wiggins scored 23 points against the team that drafted him number one overall in 2014 but traded him.
James, Irving pace Cavaliers in 12597 win over Timberwolves cbs46.com 2017-02-02 02:22 Afp www.dailymail.co.uk
Colts punter Pat McAfee, 29, makes surprise retirement announcement from NFL
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Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee, who is only 29, is walking away from football. Drafted by Indianapolis in 2009, McAfee took to Twitter late Wednesday to note that his third knee surgery in four years did play a role in the decision. “Although I love Jim Irsay and the Colts organization, I want to turn my focus to making the world a happier place,” he said in a different video announcement . The punter is leaving the NFL to join Barstool Sports, a blogging/comedy website. McAfee has experience with comedy -- last year he did a stand-up tour that featured seven stops in Indiana. McAfee, a pro-bowler in both 2015 and 2016, signed a five-year deal with the Colts in 2014 and was due almost $6 million over the next two seasons.
Pat McAfee walks away from the Colts at 29 rssfeeds.usatoday.com 2017-02-02 02:13 Nicholas Parco feeds.nydailynews.com
Putin heads to Hungary, his 1st trip to EU since US election
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On his first trip to the European Union since the U. S. presidential election, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday is heading to Hungary, the nation whose leader has cozied up to Moscow despite Russia-West tensions. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a populist dubbed "little Putin" by his opponents, has been critical of the U. S. and of EU sanctions imposed on Russia for its action in Ukraine.
Speaking ahead of Putin's visit, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said the EU sanctions against Russia have failed to achieve their objectives and cost Hungary some $6.7 billion in export opportunities. He also pointed at what he described as the previous U. S. administration's pressure on Hungary to prevent it from warming up to Moscow. "The whole world is noticeably holding its breath while waiting to see if there will be rapprochement ... in American-Russian relations and if so, to what depth and dimension," Szijjarto said. U. S. President Donald Trump has promised to mend ties with Russia, which have sunk to post-Cold War lows over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and the allegations of Russia's meddling in the U. S. elections. For the first time since his inauguration, Trump on Saturday had a phone call with Putin, which both the White House and the Kremlin described in strongly positive terms.
"If American pressure has been taken off European countries in terms of the sanctions, and there seems to be a good chance for this, I believe all of those who emphasized pragmatic relations and talked about the need to reevaluate the sanctions will be more courageous and that will be a new basis for debate," Szijjarto said Wednesday. Hungary has also voiced hope for better ties with Washington under Trump. Orban has criticized the past administration for what he described as attempts to influence Hungary's domestic policies, such as a ban on entering the U. S. for six Hungarians, including the then-head of the Hungarian tax office, because of corruption allegations. Orban, who has faced EU criticism for building a barbed-wire fence along its borders with Serbia and Croatia to stop migrants, has a sympathetic interlocutor in Putin, who has warned that flows of migrants could destabilize Europe. Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov hailed what he described as "good personal ties" between the Russian and Hungarian leaders. Putin last visited Hungary in February 2015, and Orban traveled to Moscow a year ago. Discussions focused on long-term supplies of Russian natural gas to Hungary and a deal to expand Hungary's Soviet-built nuclear power plant with a 10 billion-euro loan provided by Russia. Ushakov said during this visit the parties will discuss the possibility of extending prospective Russian pipelines to Hungary, as well as the Paks nuclear plant deal. The plant, launched in the 1980s, now accounts for about 40 percent of Hungary's energy consumption, and building two new reactors there will double its output, Ushakov said. The project is still awaiting permission from the European Commission, which Ushakov said has stymied it with "quibbles. "
Putin heads to Hungary for Orban meet digitaljournal.com 2017-02-02 02:11 By VLADIMIR www.thenewstribune.com
Goran Dragic's 27 points help Miami Heat win ninth straight
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MIAMI -- In the long and storied history of the NBA, only one team still had a losing record immediately after a win streak longer than nine games, and that was the 1996-97 Phoenix Suns. The Suns won 11 straight games that season. The Miami Heat , with nine straight wins, are tied for second on that list of losing teams suddenly getting hot. And with a schedule that features teams with losing records for their next six games, the Heat could shatter Phoenix's record. Crazy, isn't it? This was a Heat team that was given up for lottery dead only two weeks ago. Yet, on Wednesday night, they did it again as Goran Dragic scored a game-high 27 points, leading Miami past the Atlanta Hawks 116-93 at AmericanAirlines Arena. "We just got better," Dragic said when asked to explain this improbable streak. "We're playing together as a team. We're starting well, and our second wave comes in with great energy. " Dion Waiters added 20 points for Miami, and Hassan Whiteside contributed 18 points and a game-high 18 rebounds. The Heat (20-30), which was 19 games under .500 two weeks ago, has the longest active win streak in the NBA. It's also the Heat's longest win streak in three years, and it's the third-biggest run by an NBA team this season. Only the Golden State Warriors (12 straight wins) and the Houston Rockets (10) had longer runs. Atlanta (28-20) was led by Kent Bazemore's 14 points. The Hawks' top three scorers -- Paul Millsap , who averages 18.1 points, Dennis Schroder (17.6) and Dwight Howard (13.8) -- were all negated. Millsap had nine points, Schroder 12 and Howard six. "We have to come out with a little more intensity. " Millsap said. "Defensively... we weren't making it hard on them. " The game was marred by a skirmish with 5:53 left in the fourth quarter. After grabbing an offensive rebound, Whiteside tried to go back up but was fouled hard by Taurean Prince. James Johnson was the first Heat player to run over and shove Prince. Whiteside, who landed on his back, was on the ground, motionless, for a couple of minutes before he finally got up. Prince and Johnson were ejected. Whiteside remained in the game and made one of two free throws. He then completed the possession by making a jump hook. Johnson, who injured his right shoulder on the final play of Monday's game against the Brooklyn Nets , finished with 16 points, including 13 in the first half. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who said Whiteside was "fine", was upset with the play by Prince. "It was unfortunate," Spoelstra said. "(Prince) hard-fouled (Whiteside), unnecessarily it looked like. "I think (Whiteside) responded great. He gathered himself emotionally and controlled what he could control, which was to beat them on the court. " Atlanta led early 7-2 but Miami got rolling with an 11-0 run, and the Heat led for the rest of the quarter, taking a 29-22 lead. Miami never trailed again, taking a 62-47 lead into halftime. Dragic had 15 points in the third quarter -- his highest-scoring period of the season -- as Miami extended its lead to 91-69. Miami was never challenged in the fourth quarter and finished the game with a 54-36 edge in paint points, holding Atlanta to 39.1 percent shooting. Schroder credited the Heat for what they did to the Hawks. "They're playing pretty good," he said. "James Johnson was with us (in Atlanta) -- I love his game. Waiters is playing very well. Dragic did a great job. They're coming along as a team. "
NOTES: Heat PF Luke Babbitt, who suffered an ankle injury Monday and didn't practice Tuesday, was able to start and scored eight points. ... Wednesday was a big day for Heat reserve F Udonis Haslem , 36. His son, 6-4, 290-pound defensive tackle Kedonis Haslem, signed a scholarship offer to play college football for Toledo. ... With the Atlanta Falcons preparing for Sunday's Super Bowl, many of the city's sports fans are more focused on football at the moment. But the Hawks have been a compelling story -- this was their first game since beating the New York Knicks in four overtimes Sunday afternoon. That was only the 11th four-OT game in NBA history. ... Up next, the Hawks go to the Super Bowl host city to face the Houston Rockets on Thursday. ... Miami's next six games are against teams with losing records, starting with Saturday's visit by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Heat push streak to 9, rolls past Hawks sports.inquirer.net 2017-02-02 01:56 www.upi.com
Caupain's late jumper lifts No. 14 Cincinnati past Tulsa
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Troy Caupain came up big for Cincinnati in the final minute and helped them rally for a big win. Caupain converted a tying three-point play with 39 seconds remaining and then made a 16-foot jumper with 4.4 left to give No. 14 Cincinnati a 57-55 victory over Tulsa on Wednesday night. The senior guard's free throw tied the score at 55-all, completing the Bearcats' comeback from an 11-point deficit with about 6 minutes to go in the second half. Tulsa's Pat Birt then had his entry pass stolen and Caupain pulled up for the game-winner. "When you have a guy who has been through the wars like him, you give him the ball and let him create the offense," Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin said. "For 33 minutes we got outscrapped, outfought, outdefended. The last six or seven minutes we dug in, got stops, got steals and got out on the breaks and got some layups. " Caupain finished with 15 points for the Bearcats (20-2, 9-0 American Athletic Conference). Kyle Washington and Jacob Evans scored 10 each, and Gary Clark added nine points and 11 rebounds. "Coach was ripping us for not getting stops and rebounds, but we stepped it up in the last six minutes," Caupain said. "On the last play, my defender backed up to stop the drive and I just took the shot. I was glad to see that one go in. " Jaleel Wheeler scored 13 points to lead Tulsa (12-9, 6-3). Junior Etou and Martins Igbanu had 10 each and T. K. Edogi added eight points and 13 rebounds. Tulsa led 55-52 and had Sterling Taplin — an 83-percent free-throw shooter — at the line, but he missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 51 seconds to go. The Golden Hurricane led the vast majority of the game before collapsing with uncertain offense, bad shots and several of its 16 turnovers in the final minutes. "We had those turnovers," Tulsa coach Frank Hath said. "One was when we were trying to throw it in as a bounce pass and we threw it right to them. There were efforts to throw it in there but we missed a couple buckets. " Trailing 36-32 early in the second half, Tulsa went on a 20-5 run to lead 52-41 with 6:01 left. Washington stopped the run with two free throws and a basket. Evans hit a jumper in traffic and a 3-pointer to pull the Bearcats to 54-50 with 2:47 left.
Tulsa jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first four minutes and led 19-12 after a vicious dunk by Edogi, following which he was called for a technical for taunting. Wheeler blocked a 3-pointer by Kevin Johnson and drove for a layup to give Tulsa a 25-16 edge with 6:29 left. Caupain made two 3s to fuel a 12-0 Bearcat run that gave Cincinnati its first lead at 28-27 and the teams were knotted at 30 at the half. The Bearcats made four fewer field goals but made 12 of 16 free throws to 6 of 9 for Tulsa. Tulsa finished with a 38-28 edge in rebounding and outshot the nation's second-ranked field-goal percentage defense team 40 percent to 35.3 percent. BIG PICTURE As much as Cincinnati pulled a rabbit out of its hat over the final two minutes, it was a heartbreaking setback for Tulsa, which didn't score in the final 1:19 and saw its chances for getting into the AAC race take a huge setback. "Everything has to go well for you to win a game against a team with the caliber of Cincinnati," Haith said. "They are one of the best defensive teams in the country. I'm proud of how we competed. I think Cincinnati is a terrific team. " TURNING POINT Tulsa stopped attacking and scored just three points in the final 6:02. "We had six or seven steals in the final six minutes and that was the difference in the game," Cronin said. HIGHLIGHT REEL Edogi's first-half dunk that gave Tulsa a 19-12 lead was spectacular, but getting whistled for a technical foul was a momentum killer. He had 10 first-half rebounds and led all players with 13 for the game. UP NEXT Cincinnati looks to extend its 21-game home winning streak Saturday against UConn. Tulsa concludes a three-game home stand against second-place SMU on Saturday.
Caupain’s late jumper lifts No. 14 Cincinnati past Tulsa wtop.com 2017-02-02 01:55 The Associated www.charlotteobserver.com
'Mad Brad' and Isaiah Thomas in the fourth lead Celtics past Raptors
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BOSTON -- About an hour before Isaiah Thomas worked some of his now-familiar fourth-quarter magic, Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens did something unusual: He tore into his team at halftime of Wednesday's game against the Toronto Raptors , angrily questioning their intensity during a key Eastern Conference matchup. "Honestly, I mean, Brad killed us at halftime," said Thomas, who continued his absurd run of fourth-quarter heroics by scoring 19 of his game-high 44 points in the final frame as Boston rallied from an 18-point deficit to stun the Raptors 109-104 at TD Garden. "[Stevens] yelled at us," Thomas added. "It was probably the most mad I've seen him. [Veteran Gerald Green] doesn't shut up, so he was also talking and saying some words we needed to hear. We still didn't come out like we wanted to in the third quarter, but with that in the back of our head I think that changed the game for us. We just played harder than them. We got the 50/50 balls and I think that was the deciding factor in the game. " Because Boston's 40-year-old coach controls his emotions so well, "Mad Brad" is a bit of a phenomenon in these parts. A Stevens technical foul lights up Twitter; so much as a scowl becomes a well-circulated GIF on social media. This isn't the first time Stevens has blasted his team at halftime. During Boston's finale last season, the Celtics came out lethargic against the Miami Heat in a game that not only had playoff-seeding implications but featured members of three decades' worth of Celtics title teams ringing the court. Stevens essentially suggested that the Celtics were embarrassing themselves in front of the Boston legends, and his players responded by rallying from a 26-point deficit to win.
Maybe sensing that Wednesday's game will have an impact on the Eastern Conference standings down the road -- or maybe recognizing that his team simply needed to get over the mental hurdle and beat a Toronto team that has owned Boston in recent seasons -- Stevens raised some hell in the locker room. Thomas was asked if Stevens might have even used some R-rated language. "I'm not going to tell on the guy," Thomas said with a smile. "I don't know what he said. I don't know if he wants to put that out there. " Added teammate Jae Crowder : "[Stevens] was pretty upset. We weren’t playing with enough fight, enough energy. Those guys played last night and came out with more energy than us, so that was unacceptable. " The Raptors led by 11 at halftime and by as much as 18 with little more than 20 minutes to play. Boston managed to trim its deficit a bit late in the third quarter -- Jaylen Brown getting hot at a rather harmless Kyle Lowry foul breathed some life into the team -and then Thomas, the league's top fourth-quarter scorer, did his thing. Thomas scored his 19 fourth-quarter points on 6-of-10 shooting and was plus-16 over the final 10 minutes, 25 seconds. With Boston down eight with 6:22 to play, Thomas scored nine straight points over a 92-second span to push the Celtics out front. Thomas' 3-pointer with 48.1 seconds to play gave Boston a lead it wouldn't relinquish. But because these sorts of outbursts are expected of Thomas, it was Stevens' outburst that really registered with Boston players. "Very unusual," said guard Marcus Smart , whose hustle plays down the stretch, including winning a key jump ball, helped Boston find a way to win. "I think everybody knows Brad is one of the most calmer dudes you’ll meet, so usually when he’s fired up and he gets into us, it’s for a great reason. " Green, 31, the oldest player on Boston's roster, has embraced being a veteran voice in his second stint with the team that drafted him as a teenager. He spoke his mind before Stevens' arrival and then watched the typically stoic coach add his two cents. "[Stevens] was hot, because this was a very important game," Green said. "That’s all we could talk about was how important this game was. I know this is a team we’ll need to see down the [road]. "
Green added: "Honestly, today I just thought we were too loose. It’s OK to be loose. Sometimes when you play uptight you make more mistakes than others, but today we were too loose. I don’t want to get into details -- nothing out of the ordinary, but we were too loose today. I had a feeling it was going to be like that and I just got really mad. Coach -- said the same thing. " Green might not have a major rotation role, but his voice resonates on a young roster. "I just had to let guys know," Green said. "I just thought we were better than that, better than how we came out. Sometimes coaches tell us that we have to pick our energy up and guys know the importance of us starting off good and how big this game was today. I thought we just started off flat. But those guys played tremendous in the second half, and that’s something that’s a learning process happening for us. " Stephen Curry was threatening to break his own single-game 3-point mark, but sat out the fourth quarter of a rout. • Curry's three spree cut short at 11 • Irving dishes Cavs out of doldrums • Melo cheers on a Knicks comeback • Isaiah, "Mad Brad" fuel win over Raps • Stats: Inside Warriors' shooting game • Butler shows winning face of Bulls • Westbrook moves on from OKC rout • Hayward, Stifle Tower carry Jazz tune Check out the team site for more game coverage With Wednesday's win, the Celtics now own a 1.5-game lead over the Raptors. If the Celtics have a better record after Sunday's game, Stevens and his staff will coach the Eastern Conference squad at All-Star Weekend in New Orleans. (East-leading Cleveland is ineligible after Tyronn Lue coached last season's game.) Stevens has downplayed the honor but admits it would be a nice reflection of how well his team has played since mid-December. That the Raptors have hit a midseason funk hasn't hurt, either. But having finally defeated Toronto -- albeit with DeMar DeRozan sidelined (though Boston was missing Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk ) -- the Celtics were able to celebrate owning the No. 2 spot and sitting just 2.5 games back of Cleveland for the top spot in the East.
"I remember when [Toronto big man Jonas] Valanciunas said we were trying to get to second and they were going for first," Thomas said. "So it’s the other way around now. They’re trying to chase for second. Now we’re going for first. So words come back to bite you if you can’t back it up. "
Thomas has another big 4th quarter, Celtics beat Raptors cbs46.com 2017-02-02 01:45 Chris Forsberg www.espn.com
Maine students push for passage of prickly hedgehog pet bill
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AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Some Maine sixth-graders are pushing state lawmakers to pass a bill that would make it easier for residents to keep hedgehogs as pets. Maine and eight other states currently restrict or ban the tiny, quill-covered creatures, which can carry salmonella. The students asked a legislative committee on Tuesday if the state could ease restrictions on owning the animals, which now require two different permits. Lions and tigers need the same kinds of permits, while chinchillas do not. Online hedgehog groups often complain about the state's "lengthy" process for owing a hedgehog. "Anyone should be able to have a hedgehog in Maine," one student told lawmakers. Maine has already been looking into the matter. A state wildlife official who spoke after the students left on Tuesday said hedgehogs could soon be treated more like hamsters. But Katie Hansberry, state director for The Humane Society of the United States, put a quill in the students' dreams of hedgehogs as the perfect prickly pet. "Hedgehogs don't always fair that well as pets," she said, with owners disrupting their natural nocturnal sleeping patterns and the risk of the animals acquiring a debilitating disease known as wobbly hedgehog syndrome. Some legislators said they wanted to kill the legislation and leave it up to regulators. But sponsor Republican Sen. Eric Brakey warned how it would look to the sixth-graders, so legislators agreed to consider the issue on Thursday. Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Maine students push for passage of prickly hedgehog pet bill News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK News, Weather, Video and Sports news9.com 2017-02-02 01:28 www.cbs46.com
7 wounded in city shootings Wednesday
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A 15-year-old boy was among eight people wounded in separate shootings Wednesday across Chicago. The teen was taken in critical condition to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston after being shot in the neck about 6:45 p.m. in the 3800 block of West Lawrence in the Northwest Side Albany Park neighborhood, according to Chicago Police. Additional details were not immediately available. The day’s latest shooting happened about 10:40 p.m. in the Homan Square neighborhood on the West Side. A 43-year-old man was walking in the 3700 block of West Roosevelt when he heard gunfire and realized he’d been shot in the right leg, police said. He later showed up at Mount Sinai Hospital, where his condition was stabilized. Two gunmen walked up to a 25-year-old man about 10 p.m. and shot him in the left leg in the 1300 block of West Roosevelt in the University Village neighborhood on the Near West Side, police said. The man was taken in critical condition to Stroger Hospital. At 8:22 p.m. in the South Shore neighborhood, a silver vehicle pulled up to a 23-year-old man in the 7600 block of South Kingston, and someone inside it shot him in the abdomen, police said. He was taken in good condition to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Just before 2 p.m., a 22-year-old man heard gunfire and realized he’d been shot in the leg in the 800 block of South Cicero in the Lawndale neighborhood on the West Side, police said. He was listed in good condition at Mount Sinai.
About 1 p.m., multiple people walked up to a 23-year-old woman and opened fire as she walked out of a West Pullman neighborhood home in the 900 block of West 116th Place on the Far South Side. A bullet grazed her head, and she declined medical treatment, police said.
A 19-year-old man was wounded in an Auburn Gresham neighborhood shooting at 11:56 a.m. on the South Side. He was in the 1200 block of West 81st Street when someone walked up and fired shots, police said. The man was shot multiple times in the lower back and hand and taken in serious condition to Christ Medical Center. A suspect was taken into custody and a weapon was recovered at the scene.
Wednesday’s first shooting happened about 11:45 a.m. in the West Side Austin neighborhood, where a 26-year-old man heard shots while walking in the 5000 block of West Chicago and suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. His condition was stabilized at Mount Sinai, police said. Six more people were shot in Chicago on Tuesday , leaving one dead. At least 53 people have been shot in the city in the last seven days.
Man in mid-20s found dead of multiple gunshots in 'strange' homicide mlive.com 2017-02-02 01:22 Sun-Times chicago.suntimes.com
Dakota pipeline: Police arrest 76 as protests continue
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Police in the US state of North Dakota say they have arrested 76 people protesting against a controversial oil pipeline. They say the arrests happened when protesters refused to leave land owned by the pipeline company. A spokesman said the latest arrests brought the number detained since August to almost 700. They came after the US Army was ordered to allow the construction of the final section of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Native Americans and their supporters have protested against the project for months, and have vowed to fight on. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe say the final section - under Lake Oahe, a reservoir on the Missouri River - would contaminate drinking water on their land and damage sacred burial sites. Morton County Sheriff's Office spokesman Rob Keller said the latest arrests were made after demonstrators moved from their existing camp on flood-prone ground to land owned by the pipeline company, Energy Transfer Partners. He said no injuries had been reported during the operation. Protest leaders could not be reached for comment. The $3.7bn (£2.8bn) pipeline is designed to transport about 470,000 barrels of crude oil a day across four states, from North Dakota to a terminal in Illinois, where it can be shipped to refineries. The US Army Corps of Engineers, which has approval authority, decided last year to explore other routes for the pipeline amid huge protests by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. But earlier this week, acting Secretary of the Army Robert Speer ordered the corps to allow the work to go ahead. President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order signalling his support for the pipeline.
Dakota Access Pipeline: 'Rogue' protesters arrested cnn.com 2017-02-02 01:22 www.bbc.co.uk
Local judges exposed for releasing habitual violent offenders on low bail
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DETROIT (WXYZ) - Violent criminals are committing crimes in Detroit, only to be released back out onto the streets. Police says its happening far too often, considering there are more than 10,000 felony cases a year in Wayne County. Surveillance video in one instance, shows someone filling up at a Detroit gas station, and being robbed at gunpoint. Police say less than 48 hours later, the gunman was released back on the streets. "When you look at some of the bails, for some felons in possession. I'll just put it this way. It's horrifying. Ex-con, he's a habitual offender. Got a gun. Gets out of jail for $200" says police chief James Craig. Craig tells us the end result is, "There's no incentive for that person not to commit a crime. " Craig describes the problem as alarming, and says it also puts officers lives at risk having to catch the same violent criminals over and over. While he says overall crime in Detroit has trended downward the past 3 years, police still can't do the job alone. Craig says, "But, let's talk about the courts. The low bails. You look at 36th District, it's amazing the ridiculously low bails and, yes, it has an affect on us continuing to drive crime down. Oakland and Macomb counties seem to get it right. I mean, that's our neighbors. " In December, records show Judge Dalton Roberson Sr. released a suspected armed robber on $1,000 personal bond despite prior gun offenses. In response, Craig says, "We ended the year last year with the lowest number of non-fatal shootings in well over 10 years. It was less than 1,000. But that's still too many. " In another case, on May 14th, 2016, a felon caught carrying a gun got out for $2,000. After his release, he allegedly set fire to his girlfriend's house. Not to mention, countless other habitual offenders getting out and threatening victim's family members and intimidating witnesses. Presiding criminal judge Timothy Kenny oversees cases mentioned by Craig, in Wayne County's 3rd Circuit Court. He supervises 24 judges, plus 9 visiting judges or magistrates on the bench for weekend arraignments at a rented facility in Romulus. He admits, the system is flawed. "I tell you what I think would improve things significantly would be a defense attorney there to represent the defendant and prosecutor there to argue on behalf of the prosecution," says Kenny. He says often times, judges are alone in the courtroom during video arraignments and sometimes forced to go on limited information. "These are judgment calls that judges have to make. The reality is judges are going to set a bond, based on info made available to them" says Kenny. He adds "There's no judge that wants to put a dangerous person out on the street. Magistrates are dealing with limited information. They have pretrial services information they get, much of which is self reported from the defendant. " In response, Craig says "But still, there's a file and it shows this is a person with a substantial history. Now, Detroit Police have arrested him with a weapon and the response if $200? " Craig says he's doing his part making officers more available on the weekends, but ultimately fighting crime requires a partnership between police, prosecutors and judges. Craig says, "If you don't want it here, you have to set the appropriate tone. How about the rights of our victims, and people who live, work and play in this city? " We also reached out to the Prosecutor's office for comment. So far, they've declined to talk about the issue.
Big Sean strives for balance on new album ‘I Decided’ rssfeeds.detroitnews.com 2017-02-02 00:32 Simon Shaykhet www.wxyz.com
Winning numbers for Feb. 1, 2017
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Lottery winning numbers TEXAS Lotto: 2/112-19-26-29-37-54 Estimated jackpot $16.25 million Winning tickets NA Next jackpot 2/4NA Pick 3 morn.: 2/1 0-3-7 Sum: 10 Pick 3 day: 4-7-8 Sum: 19 Pick 3 even.: 7-1-1 Sum: 9 Pick 3 night: 7-8-4 Sum: 19 Daily 4 morn.: 2/1 7-5-7-4 Sum: 23 Daily 4 day: 9-6-2-0 Sum: 17 Daily 4 even.: 3-3-8-8 Sum: 22 Daily 4 night: 5-0-9-4 Sum: 18 Cash 5: 2/15-10-16-27-29 Two Step: 1/30 4-9-18-19 Bonus Ball: 31 POWERBALL Powerball: 2/19-43-57-60-64 Powerball: 10 Estimated jackpot $206 million Winning tickets NA Next jackpot 2/4NA MEGA MILLIONS MEGA: 1/313-14-27-62-72 Mega Ball: 4 Megaplier: 3 Estimated jackpot $15 million Winning tickets None Next jackpot 2/3 $20 million
Michigan Lottery numbers for Wednesday, Feb. 1 rssfeeds.detroitnews.com 2017-02-02 00:29 Texas Lottery www.chron.com
'Suspicious' item on West Side turns out to be box of old wires
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An apartment building was evacuated early Thursday in the Homan Square neighborhood after a suspicious box was found in one of the West Side units. The Chicago Police Bomb and Arson Unit was called at 1:15 a.m. after “suspicious contents” were located inside an apartment in the 3500 block of West Flournoy, police said. Further investigation revealed that the item was actually a box with old wires. The surrounding units were evacuated as a precautionary measure, police said. Residents were allowed to return home when it was determined that there was no threat.
Man shot in Homan Square chicago.suntimes.com 2017-02-02 05:05 Sun-Times chicago.suntimes.com
Virginia search continues for red panda, absconder of zoos - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports
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More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> More >> Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump's pick for the Supreme Court vacancy, is earning GOP praise as he visits Capitol Hill the morning after Trump announced his nomination More >> Harvard Medical School researchers say they're frustrated that President Donald Trump's travel ban is keeping bright new Iranian recruits from joining them in Boston More >> President Donald Trump is ready to reveal his choice to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court, one of most consequential moves of his young administration and a decision with ramifications that could long outlast his time in office More >> House Speaker Paul Ryan is defending President Donald Trump's divisive executive order on refugees and immigration, arguing that while the rollout was bumpy, the policy is consistent with Republican principles. More >> From Dubai to Los Angeles, President Donald Trump's order barring travelers from seven Muslim countries has thrown the lives of thousands into limbo More >> King Abdullah II of Jordan's visit to Washington is testing President Donald Trump's ability to maintain Arab alliances More >> Some legal U. S. residents from the nations affected by the Trump administration's travel ban are wondering whether it is safe to leave the country More >> People dreamed of soaring above traffic congestion even before George Jetson entranced kids with his cartoon flying car More >> President Donald Trump's immigration order is sowing more chaos and outrage across the country More >> President Donald Trump's immigration order is sowing more chaos and outrage across the country More >>
Maui's 'top of the world' sunrise view Violent protesters block Berkeley talk leads to overcrowding - News9.com - by Breitbart editor - News9.com Oklahoma City, OK - News, Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports Weather, Video and Sports news9.com news9.com
Maine students push for passage of prickly hedgehog pet bill News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK News, Weather, Video and Sports news9.com
Crowds gathered on Gobbler's Knob for Groundhog Day forecast News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK News, Weather, Video and Sports news9.com
Delis, bodegas to close in protest of Trump travel ban - News9.com Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports news9.com
Violent protesters block Berkley talk by Breitbart editor - News9.com Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports news9.com
2017-02-02 05:16 www.news9.com
Rod ‘He Hate Me’ Smart: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
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Rod “He Hate Me” Smart had a lot of roadblocks on his way to the NFL. He started by paying his dues in the one-and-done XFL, a football league led by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. He used that short-lived stardom and later spent four seasons in the NFL, playing in Super Bowl XXXVII. After his football career, Smart tried his hand on a handful of different ventures. Here’s what you need to know about Rod “He Hate Me” Smart: Smart took full advantage of the XFL’s willingness to let its players put whatever they want on the back of their jerseys. He became known by many for the unique nickname that he chose the be printed on his Los Angeles Outlaws jersey: “He Hate Me.” The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported in 2004 that Smart came up with the moniker because his opponent is “always going to hate” him. Even his family members, he said: He played in the first-ever XFL game on NBC, which also proved to be the highest-rated game in the league’s history, as its viewership continued to drop until it eventually folded after one season.
During the season, other players in the XFL poked fun of Smart’s nickname, including two players having “I Hate Me” and “I Hate He Too” sewn into the back of their jerseys. The two teams played again and humorously had the new surnames , “Still Hate He” and “Still Hate He Too” on their jerseys. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote in its article on Smart that the name’s popularity made its way to future teammate and Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme, who named one of his dogs “She Hate Me.” In the middle of his NFL career in Carolina, Smart reportedly said he wanted to change his nickname to “He Love Me,” because of the support he received from fans, but it seemed to fail. The New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons square off Sunday night in the NFL's season-finale. Who will win Super Bowl 2017? Keep reading to see our pick. Smart got his first taste of the NFL in 2000 out of college. He wasn’t drafted, but signed a free-agent deal with the San Diego Chargers. His time with the franchise didn’t last long, however, as he was released from the contract following training camp.
Following that, “He Hate Me” signed with the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos. But he lasted just one preseason game in the CFL before being released again, but then signed by the Philadelphia Eagles to be on the team’s practice squad. He made his first appearance in the NFL in November 2001 and played for the Eagles in six games, most frequently on special teams. He was waved after the season, but was claimed the next season by the Panthers.
It was in Carolina that Smart finally saw stardom. He played in all 16 games and was the Panthers’ leading tackler on special teams. The following season, he spent time as the Panthers’ kick returner and returned 41 kicks for 23.1 yards and 947 yards. He scored the only touchdown of his career against the New Orleans Saints — a 100-yard touchdown return. Smart won the NFC Championship with the team in 2004, defeating the Eagles 14-3, before losing to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVII.
The next season, he suffered from ailing injures, which limited his playing time drastically, but he recovered and made a return in 2005 before being released in 2006. Smart signed with the Oakland Raiders in 2006, but didn’t make the team’s final roster. That was his last season with an NFL team. We're getting closer to Super Bowl Sunday. Keep reading here to see the latest point spread and moneyline for the Falcons-Patriots game. Smart was one of seven children, born in Lakeland, Florida. After a successful high school athletic career, he attended Western Kentucky University , where he ranked near the top in school records on the gridiron. He registered 2,305 rushing yards on 356 carries to go along with 21 touchdowns. He also caught a few passes and returned kicks and punts for the team. He graduated with a degree in kinesiology. Smart was also on Western Kentucky’s track and field team , specializing in sprinting. He holds the school record for the 200-meter dash. Thousands are flocking to Houston and around NRG Stadium not only for the Super Bowl, but to take part in protests of President Trump's immigration orders. Smart’s isn’t the only one from his family to play in the NFL. His younger brother is Chris Rainey, who played running back and returned kicks for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts and was on the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. Following that, Rainey started a career in the CFL, where he still plays. Also, former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Freddie Mitchell is Smart’s first cousin . Mitchell had the best statistical career of the three in the NFL. He caught 90 passes as receiver for 1,263 yards and 5 touchdowns. Most recently, he was on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad in 2005. The New England Patriots take on the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. We take a look at the opening point spread and Vegas odds for Super Bowl 2017. After his football career, Smart tried a career in acting. He played the male lead role in a 2010 independent film, “ Don’t Blame the Lettuce.” He told Yahoo in an interview about picking up acting, “In the NFL, you’re dressed up, you’ve got a helmet on and they don’t see your face. With (acting), they can put a face with a name.” Smart lists “entertainment” on his LinkedIn profile and is also the owner of SmartSize, a personalized fitness business aimed at individuals and groups in North Carolina. The Atlanta Falcons will play in their last game at the Georgia Dome January 22 in the NFC Championship game. When will the team's new stadium be built?
Groundhog Day 2017: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know heavy.com
Palmer Luckey: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know heavy.com
Rick James: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know heavy.com
2017-02-02 03:00 Chris Bucher heavy.com
Recruiting analyst: Offensive linemen stars of Spartans' 2017 class
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Michigan State finished sixth in rushing offense, averaging 172.7 yards per game, in the Big Ten this past season. That average might improve in the future thanks to three offensive linemen MSU added Wednesday on National Signing Day. The Spartans signed four-star guard Kevin Jarvis (Maine South/Park Ridge, Ill.) as well as guard Jordan Reid (Cass Tech) and tackle Mustafa Khaleefah (Dearborn), who are both three-star players from Michigan.
"I think, on the offensive front, you can win a lot of ballgames with guys like Kevin Jarvis and Jordan Reid paving the way in the trenches," said Steve Wiltfong, a recruiting analyst for 247sports.com. "My favorite part about (MSU's recruiting class) is the Kevin Jarvis, Jordan Reid (guard) combination. Related: "Those are two nasty Michigan State type of old-school, blue collar offensive linemen that will allow them to continue to play football the way that they want, and that's with a smashmouth style. " Jarvis (6-foot-5, 340 pounds) is the highest-rated recruit the Spartans signed and the 15th best guard in the country, while Reid (6-4, 286) is the No. 11 player in Michigan. But Wiltfong thinks Khaleefah (6-6, 282) might end up being the top lineman MSU picked up this signing period. "If I had to point to one guy for Michigan State who is the gem of this class that everyone may have missed on, I look at Mustafa Khaleefah," Wiltfong said. "He's a guy who could become a first-round NFL draft pick down the road. That's a 6-6, tough offensive lineman. You pair him with those guys, Jarvis and Reid, who are a sure thing, and I think Mustafa Khaleefah has a chance to really blossom under (MSU offensive line coach) Mark Staten. " Related: The Spartans also signed guard Matt Carrick (Perry/Massillon, Ohio) to help bolster their line, which will look to block for its new three-star running back, Weston Bridges (Copley/Akron, Ohio).
"Weston Bridges, he's a running back who can bring that speed and toughness to the backfield that Michigan State likes," Wiltfong said. "This is just a class where you look at it right away, and you can see they landed some of the best talent with guys like Weston Bridges. He's one of the best running backs in the Midwest. "
MSU assembles 'prototypical' Dantonio recruiting class early, late rssfeeds.freep.com
Recruiting analyst: Speed puts Michigan's 2017 class among the best rssfeeds.freep.com
2017-02-02 02:53 By Brandon rssfeeds.freep.com
Groundhog Day Prediction 2017 Live Stream: How to Watch Online
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The official Punxsutawney Phil Groundhog Day 2017 celebration at Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania begins today at 6 a.m. Watch the live stream here to learn if Phil will see his shadow or not. The event runs for two hours and Phil normally prognosticates around 7:30 a.m. Watch the live stream here . Groundhog Day is an annual holiday in the United States celebrated every February 2. It was officially established in 1887 by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club who have monitored the event every year since. “Punxsutawney Phil” has been the name of the resident groundhog for the club since its inception, and they jokingly claim there has only ever been one Punxsutawney Phil. However, the average lifespan of a captive groundhog is 9-14 years. According to the legend, if it’s cloudy when Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his burrow on this day, then spring will come early; if it’s sunny, the groundhog will get scared by its shadow and run back into its burrow, bringing on six more weeks of winter. So cloudy good, sunny bad. February 2 is Groundhog Day 2017. Learn about the history and origins of the holiday here and what Punxsutawney Phil has prognosticated: an early spring or more winter?
Groundhog Day 2017: All the Memes You Need to See heavy.com
Groundhog Day 2017: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know heavy.com
2017-02-02 01:01 S.J heavy.com
Ombudsman dismisses PAO lawyer for charging indigents
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MANILA — Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has dismissed an Occidental Mindoro district public attorney for allegedly demanding payment from an indigent couple. In a seven-page decision, the Ombudsman held Lawyer Jennifer Garcia-Laudencia of San Jose town administratively liable for grave misconduct. Morales cited the testimony of spouses Rodolfo and Maira Abrea that Laudencia asked to be paid P6,000 and P3,000 to file their counter-affidavits and rejoinder in moving for the dismissal of a complaint against them. This allegedly violated Chapter 5, Title III of Book IV of the Administrative Code of 1987, which mandates the PAO to “render, free of charge, legal representation, assistance, and counseling to indigent persons.” The Ombudsman also found that Laudencia represented Mike Tiu Santiago, who had not qualified as an indigent, in a damage suit against his stepmother over several disputed properties that included a Toyota Fortuner. While Laudencia argued that the client submitted an affidavit of indigency, the Ombudsman said this was “not sufficient” to establish that he was an indigent who could avail of PAO’s services. The PAO Operations Manual requires proof of income such as income tax return, and a certificate of indigency from the barangay chairman or the Department of Social Welfare and Development, according to Morales “Respondent [Laudencia] clearly disregarded established rules by representing Mike Tiu Santiago,” the decision read. The Ombudsman’s decision also contained a reminder that “public attorneys should primarily play the role of peacemakers and must be guided by a high sense of fairness, integrity, good faith and justice, in the performance of their functions.” SFM/rga
PAO lawyer dismissed for demanding payment newsinfo.inquirer.net 2017-02-02 04:05 Vince F newsinfo.inquirer.net
Protesters force US university to cancel talk with controversial UK journalist
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A talk by a controversial journalist at a US university was cancelled after protesters threw smoke bombs and started a fire. Breitbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulos had been due to speak at the University of California, Berkeley. It was the last stop of a tour aimed at defying what he calls an epidemic of political correctness on college campuses. The British 32-year-old is a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump and a self-proclaimed internet troll whose comments have been criticised as racist, misogynist, anti-Muslim and white supremacist. University spokesman Dan Mogulos said officials were advising the campus to shelter in place and to stay away from the student union building, where Mr Yiannopoulos was scheduled to speak. A group of protesters dressed in black and some in hooded sweatshirts broke windows, threw smoke bombs and flares at a building and started a large bonfire outside the building. Some protesters began pulling away metal barricades as police in riot gear guarded the building. Hundreds of peaceful demonstrators carrying signs that read "Hate Speech Is Not Free Speech" had been protesting for hours before the event. The visit to Berkeley was sponsored by the campus Republican club. Several of Mr Yiannopoulous' talks at other campuses had previously been cancelled due to protests or security concerns.
Protesters force US university to cancel talk by British journalist independent.ie 2017-02-02 02:26 Press Association www.independent.ie
Syracuse loss will leave a mark on Wolfpack
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It’s easier to no-show and lose than it is to lose the way N. C. State did on Wednesday. You get run out of the gym, like N. C. State did at Louisville or at North Carolina earlier this season, and there are no second-guesses or “what ifs?” It’s just a simple matter of effort and being overwhelmed. Then there are losses like the 100-93 overtime decision to Syracuse. “That one hurts,” N. C. State coach Mark Gottfried said. It does, and not only because N. C. State led by 16 points with 8:30 left in regulation, but also because the prerequisite effort was there for the Wolfpack (14-9, 3-7 ACC) to put a little life back in its season. N. C. State led 87-84 after Maverick Rowan’s 3-pointer with 10.5 seconds left but John Gillon, who set a new PNC Arena record with 43 points, forced overtime with his own off-balance 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds left. “I’m sick to my stomach for (the players) because I thought they played extremely hard and I thought they did enough to win the game,” Gottfried said. Offensively, N. C. State certainly did. Freshman guard Dennis Smith Jr. had a triple-double (13 points, 11 rebounds, 15 assists), Rowan scored a career-high 31 points and junior forward Abdul-Malik Abu added 19 points. There was a stretch for about 9 and a half minutes — the game was tied at 47 at the 18-minute mark of the second half then N. C. State led 75-59 at the 8:30 mark — where it was as good as it gets for N. C. State. On offense, senior guard Terry Henderson made three 3-pointers during that 28 to 12 stretch and scored 11 points. Rowan hit 3, Smith hit a 3, Abu dunked off of a beautiful no-look pass from Smith in transition and Smith hit highlight-reel reverse layup. On defense, N. C. State forced Syracuse to miss nine of 15 shots during that stretch. So during those 8 minutes, Syracuse shot 40 percent — which, by the way, is not bad. But for the rest of the second half, the Orange made 8 of 11 shots or 72.7 percent of its shots. That’s patently ridiculous. Gillon, who entered the game with 8.9 scoring average, scored career-high 43 points on just 13 shots. He was 9 of 10 from the 3-point line, which broke Steph Curry’s arena record for 3s (eight against Gonzaga in the 2008 NCAA tournament). Gillon also broke T. J. Warren’s single-game arena scoring record (42 points in a 2014 loss to UNC) Gillon’s was guarded closely on his 3-pointer to force overtime It was a shot described by Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim as “virtually almost impossible ” A shot that Gottfried said he would have signed up for before the game if given the choice “I probably would have taken that one taken my chances ” Gottfried said “The kid just had one of those days He made every shot and he made every important shot including that one ” But Gillon had a lot of other clean looks from 3 Ones teammate Andrew White was quite frankly surprised by N C State’s defensive strategy “The hedge was kind of soft and his man was going under the screen ” said White who had nine of his 28 points in overtime “So you know in ACC basketball that’s easy pickings ” And that’s the problem for N C State and has been all season Defensively the Wolfpack can’t quite find its way
The Wolfpack has tried zone man and any sort of combination of the two without success The Orange needed overtime to get to triple digits but it is the third time N C State has allowed at least 100 points in a game this season You have to go back to the 1990-91 season for the last time that has happened The defensive deficiencies have led to lopsided losses like the one at Louisville this past Sunday (85-60) or the one in Chapel Hill on Jan 8 (107-56) This loss stung more because N C State had contained its roller coaster of emotions on a game-by-game basis This game featured both the “good” and the “bad” N C State in the same half “Everybody knows what we’re capable of ” Abu said “This one hurts a little bit because we feel like it was one of the games where we put it together ” N C State did put it all together just not for long enough The sting from this loss will linger a lot longer
NC S a e s Abdu Ma k Abu a ks abou oss o Sy acuse newsobserver com 2017 02 02 02 14 By Joe www newsobserver com
Ohio man convicted in infant's death sentenced to 11 years
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DAYTON Ohio (AP) - An Ohio man found guilty in the death of a 6-week-old girl on charges of involuntary manslaughter and child endangering has been sentenced to 11 years in prison Montgomery County’s prosecutor says 21-year-old Sharon Hancock of Dayton was sentenced Wednesday in the 2015 death of his girlfriend’s daughter Alisa Albarracin The baby’s mother called 911 on Oct 30 2015 to report that her daughter was having difficulty breathing The infant was taken to a hospital suffering from cardiac arrest and respiratory arrest Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr has said the infant died nine days later from injuries she suffered through Hancock ’s actions The prosecutor didn’t provide any additional details There was no answer to calls Wednesday to the office of Hancock ’s attorney
Oh o man cha ged n dea h o woman and he e us n a a OD wash ng on mes com 2017 02 02 01 13 By www wash ng on mes com
Manchester City dazzle as bitter rivals Man United held by Hull
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City produced a scintillating first-half display scoring three times before the break through Kevin De Bruyne David Silva and new boy Gabriel Jesus before Yaya Toure s penalty capped a one-sided romp at the London Stadium Clinical finishing was in short supply at Old Trafford however where United came up against an inspired performance from Hull keeper Eldin Jakupovic who made a string of superb saves to keep Jose Mourinho s side at bay While City s victory moved them level on 46 points with fourth-placed Liverpool and kept leaders Chelsea just about in their sights United s slip-up left them sixth four points adrift of City and 14 off the summit Hull s unlikely point moved them off the foot of the table while Stoke City and Everton drew 1-1 It has not been plain sailing for City manager Pep Guardiola in recent months and he came into Wednesday s game facing the prospect of losing three successive top-flight away matches for the first time in his managerial career City had already beaten West Ham twice this season with an aggregate score of 8-1 and they were returning to the London Stadium less than a month after thrashing their hosts 5-0 in the FA Cup third round De Bruyne started and finished off a swift counter to put them ahead after 17 minutes and with the home side in disarray City turned the screw Sane gave Silva a tap-in at the far post four minutes later before Jesus grabbed his first for the club City s January signing side-footed in Raheem Sterling s pass six minutes before the break and when Sterling was felled by Jose Fonte making his West Ham debut Toure stepped up to thump his penalty into the net Jesus caught the eye with his high-energy display and as part of a youthful front three with Sterling and Sane had City boss Guardiola purring "Gabriel Jesus is a fighter with an instinct for the goal He s good at assists too " Guardiola told the BBC "We played a front three with an average age of 20 I like the fans to be excited Those players are the future of the club " United facing Hull for the third time in 23 days after their League Cup semi-final were thwarted by a determined Jakupovic who saved well from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and even more impressively from substitute Juan Mata Daley Blind Marcus Rojo Marcus Rashford and Ibrahimovic missed further chances as United dominated although they almost suffered a stunning defeat when Lazar Markovic hit the post for Hull Stoke s Peter Crouch dusted off his robot dance after opening the scoring against Everton with his 100th Premier League goal after seven minutes finishing on the stretch after Marko Arnautovic had broken the offside trap At 36 years and two days the former Liverpool and England forward is the oldest player to reach his Premier League century The lead lasted until six minutes before the break when Ryan Shawcross deflected Seamus Coleman s shot into his own goal 2017 02 02 05 58 Reu ers www mes ve co za
Singapore Airlines stewardess found dead in San Francisco hotel room
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SINGAPORE – A Singapore Airlines air stewardess was found dead in a San Francisco hotel room on Tuesday (Jan 31) several hours before she was to depart from the city on the return leg of a long-haul flight according to a source Penang-born Vanessa Yeap who is believed to be in her late 30s or early 40s was a leading stewardess on a flight from Singapore to San Francisco with a stopover at Hong Kong according to a cabin crew member who wished to remain anonymous According to the source who was not on the same flight Ms Yeap said she was not feeling well when cabin crew arrived in San Francisco – likely about two days before the return flight The return flight from San Francisco was scheduled for about 1 am on Wednesday (Feb 1) which meant the crew had to check out from the hotel at about 10 pm to 11 pm on Tuesday (Jan 31) When Ms Yeap did not appear at the lobby colleagues went up to check and found her dead in her room They tried to resuscitate her but could not revive her The Straits Times understands that Ms Yeap had been with the airline for about 15 to 20 years She was single but was planning to get married Her brother is now on his way to San Francisco to claim the body /rga 2017 02 02 05 39 The S ra s news n o nqu rer ne
Sereno: Constitution puts focus on human rights sovereignty
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The 1987 Constitution is more than a statement of principles and a collection of hopes and aspirations but has paved the way for a “vibrant democracy” and provided a fertile ground for the rule of law to be nourished Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said Thursday
In a statement issued on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the ratification of the 1987 Constitution Sereno said the 1987 Constitution wants us to have a “renewed focus on human rights and civil liberties an emphasis on sovereignty and institutional protection for the independence of the judiciary ” The Constitution was ratified by 16 622 111 affirmative votes representing 76 30 percent of the total votes cast as opposed to the 4 953 375 votes or 22 74 percent of the votes cast in 1987
‘Thirty years since its ratification we in the Supreme Court and the judiciary today re-commit ourselves to the task of allowing our people to realize their hopes and aspirations of a society that is more just humane and equal by ensuring that the courts are firm fair and free ” She added that the Constitution acknowledges cultural and religious diversity while stressing unity and nourishing liberty The high court’s chief added that the Constitution “allows dissent protects national security but emphasizes human rights and human dignity may allow us to have a government that is stable a democracy that is vibrant and a rule of law that is consistent ” Sereno has been stressing the importance of respecting the rule of law She earlier called on all three branches of government as well as the constitutional bodies to reflect on how they have been discharging their roles
“The government pillars of criminal justice i e the Judiciary the Department of Justice and its attached agencies including the National Prosecution Service and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) must come together to ponder on what kinds of genuine changes are required to bring about real justice ”she added To date there are more than 6 000 people killed in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs JE 2017 02 02 05 15 Te ch Torres news n o nqu rer ne
Injured dog leads rescuers to puppies
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SPAIN -- A video online shows an injured dog leading her rescuers to her puppies Caters News reports that the abandoned greyhound named Vera was seen wandering around a market in southern Spain A stranger Lianne Powell caught Vera and brought her to see a local veterinarian Vera was emaciated and had a broken leg Upon further examination the veterinarian Ellen Sobry noticed Vera was bleeding from the back end and lactating “I thought well where are the puppies? ” Sobry told Caters News Sobry and Powell decided to go out and search They put a leash on Vera and went outside hoping the dog would trust them enough to lead the way According to Caters News Vera led the women almost two miles away to an abandoned car With Sobry filming Powell looked inside the car and found a miraculous surprise "There in the back were 10 beautiful fat little healthy puppies ” Powell told Caters News Today Vera and her puppies are recovering in a safe place Caters News reports that Sobry is working with a rescue organization to find homes for the dogs once they leave the clinic *** For more stories like this like Humankind on Facebook 2017 02 02 05 02 USA TODAY rss eeds usa oday com
SF finding the right recipe to add healthy food outlets
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San Francisco may have a vibrant culinary scene and no shortage of foodies but there are a large number of residents whose health suffers from living in what The City calls “food swamps ” San Francisco’s infamous inequalities include not only income but also food access Beginning in 2014 a small city program partnering with community groups has sought to transform corner stores that have long relied on cigarette and alcohol sales for their profits to shift toward selling more fruits and vegetables After three years city officials say Healthy Retail SF is working to provide healthier foods to these food swamp communities specifically Bayview-Hunters Point Tenderloin and the Oceanview Merced Heights Ingleside (OMI) where healthy food is either unavailable or the items are not affordable That contributes to the disproportionate rates of diet-related illnesses in low-income and communities of color including diabetes and heart failure The $60 000 annually city-funded program however is limited by funding which was exacerbated by the rising costs of San Francisco according to a recent presentation of the program’s three-year evaluation to the Small Business Commission “It’s shifted since 2013 ” said Jorge Rivas the head of the Healthy Retail SF program for Office of Economic and Workforce Development who also partners with the Public Health Department “The costs in The City have gone up At our last planning meeting our experts recommended to do about two businesses per year with $60 000 Initially we did about four ” Rivas reported to the commission that The City has worked with nine corner stores since the program’s inception including five in the Tenderloin three in the Bayview and one in Oceanview The cost to fully transform a store can reach $35 000 and includes both city funding and other grant sources that pay for such things as a new store design new shelving refrigerators and produce bins The effort is attempting to address some stark diet facts among San Francisco residents “Many San Franciscans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables Two out of three youths and four out of five adults do not eat five or more servings of fruits or vegetables ” according to the 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment issued by the San Francisco Health Improvement Partnership which includes the Public Health Department
There are many reasons for this the report said including that “many cannot afford healthy foods” — 44 percent of the adults in San Francisco live below 200 percent of the federal poverty level and cannot afford “enough food at some time during the year ” Further challenges include a lack of kitchens (some 20 756 housing units don’t have full kitchens) and the notion that “healthy foods are not evenly distributed across The City ” Small Business commissioners praised the program but also wanted to know how many more corner stores would convert to healthier retail if more funding was available Small Business Commissioner Paul Tour-Sarkissian called it “a wonderful program for such a small budget” and wanted to know how many corner markets it could apply to in the food swamps “We know in the Tenderloin there are 70 corner stores ” Rivas said “Out of those stores we’ve only taken in five ” “Just to get an idea of demand … I am just curious how many more might be out there waiting for their turn ” said Small Business Commissioner Kathleen Dooley “That’s a really good question ” Rivas said “We had like 25 that were interested in the Tenderloin alone ” Rivas described Healthy Retail SF as “a small but mighty program ”
The three-year report on the program said that “on average over 11 000 more units of produce are being accessed in communities per month” because of the program and businesses that participated saw a 25 percent increase in their sales about $5 000 more per month The City collects point of sales data from the participants but keeps it confidential One store began selling no produce but now sells 1 865 produce items monthly and another went from selling 16 874 produce items monthly to selling 17 641 monthly after five months since the redesign City officials also reported a “ripple effect” where converted stores led to other area stores increasing their healthy food products 2017 02 02 05 00 By www s exam ner com
The rise and fall of American democracy
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In the spring of 1968 a young Republican Congressman flew home to Houston to meet his constituents A World War II hero and son of a U S Senator the Congressman had just committed the unthinkable in his conservative predominately white district: He had supported Lyndon Johnson’s Fair Housing Act which prohibited racial discrimination in housing Catcalls and boos greeted the Congressman as he entered the public meeting in Houston Slowly he took the floor He spoke of his travels to war-torn Vietnam of the African-American soldiers who “were fighting and some were dying for the ideals of this Country ” Those soldiers deserve hope he argued; the door should never be slammed simply because someone is African-American or speaks with a Mexican accent “Fair play is basic The right to hope is basic ” When he finished speaking the crowd gave him a standing ovation And two decades later that young Congressman became President George Herbert Walker Bush Can you imagine this happening today — a Texas Republican supporting a Democratic president’s controversial legislation? Can you imagine that Congressman surviving the next primary much less becoming president? We used to have moderate Republicans We used to have bipartisanship compromise We used to have class Now we have Trump How did America become so balkanized? And what kind of democracy lets someone win the presidency after losing by three million votes? Let’s start at the beginning Our Founders were skeptical of direct democracy (ironically in part fearing demagogues like Trump) The Constitutional Convention did not birth a direct democracy but a representative republic a fairly aristocratic exclusionary one at that Over the last two centuries we’ve gradually moved toward inclusion The Civil War and the 13th Amendment in 1865 finally ended slavery Black men won the constitutional right to vote with the 15th Amendment in 1870 Starting in the late 1890s states began adopting initiative elections letting citizens vote directly on legislation as we do in California Voters won the right to choose their senators who were previously picked by state legislators with the 17th Amendment in 1913 Women’s suffrage came with the 19th Amendment in 1920 Residents in Washington D C got a say in presidential elections with the 23rd Amendment in 1961 The Voting Rights Act in 1964 helped African-Americans exercise their suffrage And the 26th Amendment in 1971 gave 18- to 20-year-olds suffrage But legacies of the original system persist The Senate and Electoral College continue unchanged because unlike with women’s suffrage or even voting rights they have powerful supporters that can block almost any reform: the small states America was a loose collection of semi-sovereign states when it declared independence Coalescing them under a constitution took compromise Small states wanted to ensure they’d have power Thus we have the Senate with two senators allotted no matter the size of the state Now five states one-tenth of the Senate have populations smaller than San Francisco’s And a Wyoming voter is 67 times more influential than a Californian The Senate’s regrettable cousin the Electoral College is a legacy of the Founders’ mistrust of direct democracy and another overrepresentation of small states Wyoming’s voters are again more important than us And since swing states matter more than population centers urban issues like affordable housing and public transit rarely come up in presidential contests except Trump’s coded references to “inner-city crime ” Together the Senate and Electoral College help keep the presidential popular vote like California voters in general a passing afterthought Surely things are better in the people’s house of Congress? No in fact they’re worse Unlike Senators House members do represent a relatively equal number of citizens but most state legislatures get to draw the district maps And in most cases they gerrymander them drawing lines that isolate their opponents’ supporters and strengthen their own position Democratic voters also inadvertently self-gerrymander by living in dense dark “blue” cities Districts become more partisan more entrenched and the voters’ choices far more skewed
This is how Democrats could earn 1 4 million more votes in the 2012 House races but lose the House 201 to 234 It’s why representatives are afraid to compromise: They’re more concerned about losing a primary to a hardliner in their own party than a general election to someone from the other party Increasingly Republican and Democratic congressmembers represent two different kinds of America Republican districts are whiter older less educated and more rural And truthfully we’ve disconnected from each other In 1968 America had three TV channels Walter Cronkite was a shared national experience Now our lives — like our news — are siloed We aren’t red states and blue states; we’re red counties and blue counties with the blue ones being urban centers That’s our divide: urban and rural These divergent American experiences and the systemic divides of our democracy make it very difficult for compromise to prevail And they contribute to the sense that our system is broken So what can we do? Help Democrats win state legislative races around the country before 2020’s congressional redistricting Support ballot measures in other states to create nonpartisan redistricting as California did in 2010 Take to the streets the airports Keep fighting for an America where fair play is basic and everyone has the right to hope Conor Johnston is the Chief of Staff to Board of Supervisors President London Breed and co-founder of the East of Twin Peaks Neighborhood Association The views here are his own 2017 02 02 05 00 By www s exam ner com
Bar owners must protect patrons from bouncers
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This week’s question comes from Jeff in the Marina who asks:
Q: “I was at a bar with friends We got tipsy maybe a little more and the bouncer asked my friend to leave He left then snuck back in The bouncer found him and grabbed him by the hair and started pulling him outside My friend screamed and the bouncer threw him outside on the ground about 10 feet from the front door I stood between the bouncer and my friend and said “Stop We are leaving ” My friend got up and told the bouncer to go f— himself and the bouncer took a swing at him missed and hit me in the face breaking my nose I did nothing but tried to calm things down and I got my nose broken I called the police but they said they wouldn’t make an arrest because the bouncer said we both attacked him I know some other witnesses who left before the police came I heard that this has happened before with this bouncer He still works there What can I do?” A: Jeff the first thing I would do is write a letter to the bar owners tell them what happened and have them save any videotape they may have from their security cameras Video security systems usually overwrite data sometimes as soon as 72 hours If they have the video and don’t save it after getting your letter then should the matter go to trial a judge can give the jury an instruction that they should assume the evidence would have been harmful to them and that’s why they destroyed it It has been the law in California for more than 200 years that “everyone is responsible … for an injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care or skill in the management of his or her property …” A business proprietor while not an insurer of his or her patron’s safety is required to exercise reasonable care for their safety and is liable for injuries resulting from a breach of this duty It has been held that bar owners have a special relationship with their customers imposing a duty upon them to take reasonable measures to protect them from imminent or ongoing criminal conduct or injury from fellow customers or employees One case in which liability was found involved a bar where the patrons were being threatened by a group of drunkards and the security guard told the patrons that they should leave but didn’t escort them to their vehicle They were attacked and beaten in the parking lot The California Supreme Court held that a proprietor who has reason to believe from observation or experience that the conduct of another endangers a customer has a duty to take reasonable steps to protect them from harm In an addition to cases recognizing the duty of a bar owner to protect patrons from others a bar owner has an obligation to protect patrons from their own security guards
A security guard is required to use the least amount of force possible to do his or her job They cannot use physical violence unless they themselves are in threat of bodily harm and then only that necessary to protect themselves From what you have described here the bouncer used physical violence because he had been insulted by your friend You had done nothing to harm or threaten the bouncer and therefore his violence toward anyone was unwarranted In short he had no legal justification and has no valid self-defense argument You can sue him for civil assault and battery As far as the bar owner is concerned a bouncer must be properly trained by his employer as to their responsibilities and limitations For bars located in The City without parking lots the “zone of authority” of the bouncer ends at the front door He is not a policeman and cannot act as a vigilante and shouldn’t have been engaging with customers on the sidewalk It appears he may have been improperly trained and/or supervised Likewise a bar owner who has knowledge that his or her security guard engages in excessive force has an obligation to take affirmative steps to protect his customers including terminating the bouncer Here you have evidence that the bar owner knew or should have known the bouncer presented an unreasonable risk of harm and failed to take steps to prevent him from hurting another patron If this is true the bar owner may have liability not only for your medical bills lost wages pain and emotional distress there may also be grounds for punitive damages for retaining an unfit employee I wish I could say that yours is the first such case I have heard of Unfortunately we have handled many such cases It seems that the job may appeal to a particular kind of person Indeed we find many of these offenders have criminal records and that their employers didn’t properly conduct a background check thereby making them liable for negligent hiring Jeff I suggest you round up those other witnesses tell the owner to secure the video make a photographic diary of your injuries and find a good trial lawyer to advise you of your rights Christopher B Dolan is owner of the Dolan Law Firm Email questions to help@dolanlawfirm com 2017 02 02 05 00 By www s exam ner com
SF school language programs ‘shut out’ black students
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Hundreds of students who are proficient in a second language graduated from San Francisco public schools last year but just one of them is black a school district official said Tuesday The San Francisco Unified School District is one of the leaders in California when it comes to students earning the Seal of Biliteracy an honor recognizing students who are highly proficient in speaking reading and writing at least one language other than English
Almost 500 students — 12 percent — of the graduating class earned the recognition in the 2015-16 school year according to Amy Gottesfeld who works in the Multilingual Pathways Department But about 70 percent of the earners are Asian and 19 percent are Latino “This is a goal for all of our students and it’s an achievable goal if students take four years of high school language ” Gottesfeld said at the meeting
The racial disparity caused concern for Board of Education commissioners who listened to Gottesfeld and other school district officials present at a special board meeting Tuesday evening one of five planned discussions on issues with the student assignment policy The student assignment policy allows parents to choose where their children attend class until there is no more room at a school and a series of tiebreakers kick in Racial segregation in the district has increased since the policy was passed in 2010 Commissioner Emily Murase said one black student earning the recognition “is shameful ” “What that tells us is our system is not serving African-American students at all ” Murase said at the meeting “The Seal of Biliteracy means money That means marketability That means college entrance That means a whole host of open doors for students who earn it ” Just a small fraction of black students take second language courses in the district according to Commissioner Matt Haney Haney said black students are being “shut out by design” from taking language courses since they are not typically offered at schools in black neighborhoods among other reasons “To have 3 percent of African-American students enrolled in language programs K-12 is just criminal ” Haney said at the meeting “That’s a shocking statistic in light of the fact that this board and our district has prioritized African-American students ” Murase said Asian language classes are offered on the west side of San Francisco while black students tend to not use the lottery system to choose their school and end up in classes on the east side The district is exploring solutions to the disparities as it prepares to revise the student assignment policy under a new superintendent next school year The last meeting on student assignment will be held March 15 2017 02 02 05 00 By www s exam ner com
You royally screwed the pooch this time America
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There’s a phrase I love that perfectly encapsulates our current moment When someone has made an embarrassing mistake like on an epic level we say they “screwed the pooch ” Used in a sentence it goes like this: “Oh man Stuart really screwed the pooch this time!” Back in the day it was used a lot at NASA and later became popular due to Tom Wolfe’s “The Right Stuff ” according to Slate com It’s a variation of an older much more crass version of the saying which I’m pretty sure my editors won’t allow me to publish (You can figure out what that it is )
Regardless America has really truly horrifically unforgivably screwed the pooch Those who didn’t vote for Donald — I’m no longer using his last name because it’s a brand that inspires awe in his gullible followers — knew it would be bad He’s a petulant and vindictive orange child who hates the word “no ” But I don’t think any of us realized it would be this bad — or at least not this quickly While I by no means consider myself a conspiracy theorist I read an article a few days ago that truly frightened me Published on Medium by Yonatan Zunger “Trial Balloon for a Coup” cleverly analyzes all of the things that Donald and his heartless bastards have done so far and terrifyingly postulates that Donald Steve Bannon and their tight inner circle may be trying to arrange a coup against the United States Let that sink in …
By maintaining their own security team creating their own intelligence community and signing questionable constitutional executive orders this cabal is seeing how far it can push things and who in the government might try to stop them So far it doesn’t seem like anyone will especially since the Republicans are so excited to have their guy in the White House that very few of them are standing up or speaking out Look I know all this sounds crazy and like it could never happen but how many times did we say that about Donald since he announced his candidacy? We thought: “He can’t really say that about Mexicans and win ” “Talking about rounding up Muslims is insane ” “Being caught on record bragging about sexual assault is political suicide ” But we were wrong over and over again There’s an article from The Daily Beast in which the author Ronald Radosh relays a conversation with Bannon Bannon reportedly identified himself as a Leninist and said “Lenin wanted to destroy the state and that’s my goal too I want to bring everything crashing down and destroy all of today’s establishment ” This is the man who Donald just made one of the most powerful people in the world by appointing him to the National Security Council while demoting the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the director of national intelligence I’m obviously not the only person who’s worried An article by Jack Moore in GQ just published this week is titled “In Case It Wasn’t Clear Yet Steve Bannon Is Our President ” In it Moore explains how Bannon is “making far-reaching and unprecedented decisions in this White House and is undermining the basic checks and balances that you learned about in junior-high civics class ” Bannon is one of the leading voices of the alt-right an unabashed anti-Semite and has declared that the media is his enemy Are you scared yet? So yes you royally screwed the pooch this time America Let’s just hope we still have a country by the time this article goes to print Stuart Schuffman aka Broke-Ass Stuart is a travel writer TV host and poet Follow him at BrokeAssStuart com Broke-Ass City runs Thursdays in the San Francisco Examiner 2017 02 02 05 00 By www s exam ner com
Fight over stun guns for SFPD may come to forefront of Police Commission appointment
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The long and up until this point unsuccessful fight to put stun guns into the hands of San Francisco’s police officers may once again come to a head when Mayor Ed Lee makes his choice for an empty seat on the Police Commission Last week the mayor again voiced his support for stun guns during his State of the City address Those remarks followed the latest police shooting which the police union had used again as rationale for why officers should be equipped with stun guns But whether such a weapon is adopted will be decided by the makeup of the Police Commission which has recently had a number of departures and remains down one seat That vacant seat is a mayoral appointee While Lee has said he thinks stun guns should be given to police he backtracked when asked if that should be a litmus test on the position Lee said on Jan 24 he wants his pick — he’s already interviewed several candidates — to consider “the use of electronic protective devices ” “The mayor does not apply single-issue litmus tests to candidates ” said mayoral spokesperson Deirdre Hussey “However he looks for people who share his vision ” As the department moves to implement a package of reforms including newly passed use-of-force policies the Police Officers Association has continued to make an argument for why police need Tasers The latest police shooting incident Jan 6 in the Oceanview neighborhood which left an unarmed mentally ill man hospitalized was used by the union as another example of why police need Tasers The POA has said its roughly 2 300 officers need as many tools at their disposal as possible especially with the recent removal of the carotid hold as an option But opponents of what they call the often misguided and dangerous weapon say that stun guns remain controversial and opposed by many in The City Commissioner Petra DeJesus who has been one of the most vocal opponents of stun guns said the federal Community Oriented Policing Office’s report recommends a measured take weighing the pros and cons of stun guns before any decision is made
“I don’t know if the mayor is requiring a Taser litmus requirement because I am not in the mayor’s inner circle ” said DeJesus “It would be discouraging if the mayor is dictating that his appointed commissioners vote for Tasers because it compromises the independent commissioners from voting their conscious after being educated in detail on this important issue ” Former Police Commissioner Angela Chan agreed as did Supervisor Hillary Ronen “I have opposed Tasers and I continue to oppose Tasers ” said Chan who noted that there are a number of reasons they are dangerous and should not be allowed in San Francisco First she said they have been misused by police many times and harmed people Second even one of the main companies that make such devices Taser has warned that the guns should not be used on a number of body parts against many people or in some weather conditions since their use can be dangerous “We clearly have problems with the way guns are being used ” said Board of Supervisors President London Breed “Now we’re going to put another tool in our officers hands? It’s not a good thing to do ” While there is no timeline for when the mayor’s pick will be made public the recent resignation of former Commission President Suzy Loftus leaves a new commission makeup in limbo Former Vice President Julius Turman whose leadership style and temperament differ from Loftus is only one of three board appointment members That leaves the other four positions — only three filled at this point — in the hands of the mayor But any such appointee could be blocked by a majority on the Board of Supervisors Read more criminal justice news on the Crime Ink page in print Follow us on Twitter: @sfcrimeink 2017 02 02 05 00 By www s exam ner com
Can San Francisco rely on tech leaders to recognize and resist global catastrophe?
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Tech companies have a libertarian streak that we sometimes find in conflict with San Francisco values Libertarians often describe their political philosophy in terms of broad personal and economic liberty Disrupting established industries like transportation (Uber) and hospitality (Airbnb) innovators continue to head to The City whose motto is “Oro en paz Fierro en Guerra” (Gold in Peace Iron in War) with big ideas and a spirit of adventure When companies innovate quickly it takes the government a while to figure out what they are doing and even more time to figure out if they should do something about it Oftentimes these companies don’t wait around For tech companies one might say they tend to make their own rules interpret them by their own logic and enforce them at their own discretion
It makes sense that San Francisco is the home for innovative communications technology The City values the freedom to live and love how you want; few people here care about who your grandparents were or how you worship (or not) People pride themselves on tolerance and openness to new ideas and experiences Without a doubt the companies that lead in technology are shaping the world in new ways They contribute to the breakneck speed of social change that lifts up some but leaves others feeling like they are losing their bearings or feeling stuck — unable to figure out which of yesterday’s rules still apply today My anthropology professors would call this a sense of “anomie ” We live in interesting times Twitter headquartered in San Francisco is the preferred communication platform for our current president who many believe is dangerously flirting with totalitarianism and whose reckless acts and words are brewing a threat to humanity Last week the Bulletin of Atomic Sciences moved the Doomsday Clock forward 30 seconds closer to global catastrophe based on concerns about the existential threats of climate change and nuclear weapons The clock was started in 1947 by Manhattan Project scientists In a speech last week at the National Press Club Rachel Bronson executive director and publisher of The Bulletin cited “cavalier and reckless language used across the globe especially in the United States during the Presidential Election and after around nuclear weapons and nuclear threats” among the reasons for the board’s decision to move the clock closer to midnight Until last week the clock had not been this close to midnight since 1953 after the United States and Russia had tested hydrogen bombs As people take actions into their own hands we are seeing individual acts of resistance everywhere It is becoming difficult to keep up The rulebook has been thrown out and people are increasingly forced to turn inward to make decisions based what they believe is the highest and best good
From “alternative” Twitter accounts being created for government scientists (@RogueNASA @ActualEPAFacts) to acting Attorney General Sally Yates refusing to enforce President Donald Trump’s travel ban targeting people from certain countries (she was fired) people are finding the courage to act
A family member of mine carried the signed orders from President Harry S Truman on his body to the blast site for “Mike” Shot of Operation Ivy the first hydrogen bomb explosion (He was the “blast man ” responsible for calculating a physically safe distance from the test site He became a peace activist before he died ) If he were alive today I can’t help but think Uncle Francis would be deeply disturbed by the ease with which reckless words with such terrible implications can travel
Some of our tech companies have become the roads on which virtual tanks roll in a coup de etat and sometimes in other nations we have seen them followed by actual tanks Nobody would argue that these companies know how to be Golden in Peace But would they recognize a war in the land of free speech and know how to be Iron in it? Maureen Erwin is a Bay Area political consultant Most recently she led Sonoma County’s Measure M which will create the largest GMO-free growing zone in the U S 2017 02 02 05 00 By www s exam ner com
Hidden travel fees and how to avoid them
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The days are gone when buying a flight or a hotel stay meant you d purchased the full experience Having been lured in by that attractive basic fare you can be stung for everything from inflight headset rental to a $6 bottle of water in your suite So how does the savvy traveler combat hidden charges and get value for money? It s time to take charge says consumer behavior expert Jen Drexler "You can no longer just show up at the airport get on whatever seat was chosen for you show up at any hotel that was chosen for you "You still have to be a really aggressive consumer " Ancillary airline fees By one estimate global airlines raked in more than $59 billion in fees in 2015 And while the trend for ancillary fees began with low-cost carriers full-service airlines have followed suit "I think one of the worst ones is the change fees " says George Hobica president of airfarewatchdog com In North America "it used to cost nothing to change a ticket or a schedule Now it s $200 "It doesn t cost the airline $200 to change the ticket You actually do it yourself " This push to cash in at every opportunity has led to carriers devising more categories of seats allowing for more a la carte fees Adds Hobica "Now what we re seeing is about five different strata of cabins " from first-class downwards If you buy one of the super-cheap fares "you re going to be in the last row by the bathroom " MORE: Low-cost airlines: They changed the world -- but what next? Loyalty programs Frequent travelers have long relied on loyalty programs to bring in sweet perks from free upgrades to checked bags "You think if you get to this next level of status you re going to be treated better " says Brian Whitney senior vice president of sales at Allure Global and a regular business traveler
But elite status doesn t buy what it used to Explains Hobica "It used to be that the number one reason to be loyal to a particular airline was the free upgrade " With airlines selling more of these seats -- and some airlines routinely overselling -- "it s almost impossible now to get an upgrade " MORE: How much would you pay for a fight upgrade? Ancillary hotel fees And while airlines might be the biggest culprits the hotel industry has also been upping their game It s an approach that s been paying off -- global hotel industry revenue was predicted to reach $550 billion in 2016
Ancillary fees can include everything from charging for bottled water to exorbitant connection fees for the hotel room phone to the North American "resort fee" -- an additional mandatory charge that supposedly covers the upkeep of hotel facilities and can be as much as $25 or $30 A couple of US-based chains have been changing their approach Hyatt is completely relaunching its loyalty program this year calling it World of Hyatt and repositioning itself to earn the allegiance of more elite travelers At the bottom end of the scale benefits will include a free bottle of water per night (from March 1) -- a minimal perk that can set few hearts racing -- up to suite upgrades bigger rooms preferred rooms and more opportunities to earn free nights Virgin Hotels part of the Virgin Group has been taking a different and potentially disruptive tack Says Virgin Hotels CEO Raul Leal "Our minibars are street pricing You could go to a local grocery store and have the same pricing "We found it really interesting that sometimes when you get your bill you have additional charges for WiFi surcharges for a room service delivery minibar restocking charges Those charges generally don t mean a lot to a hotel s bottom line " Virgin s approach has been paying off Its Chicago location was recently voted Conde Nast s Readers Choice for best hotel Adds Leal "I think that in general we shouldn t feel that we ve got you " Tips on beating the charges The most important thing is to be vigilant Never make assumptions that something is complimentary read the fine print of each airline or hotel before you travel and be careful what boxes you tick when booking online And don t be afraid to haggle Says Whitney "You can attempt to negotiate just about anything I ve negotiated the hotel 6 00 p m cancellation without a fee I ve negotiated the resort fee It really depends on what you re willing to go do and what s the level of effort " Other fee-busting tips include downloading an app to find free WiFi hotspots nearby (as well as work-friendly coffee shops and book stores) and to avoid airport surcharges on car rentals you can ride-share into town and rent the car there Some hotel gyms offer free water so you don t need to crack into that mini bar As for airlines -- and you probably know this by now -- check the luggage restrictions then pack light or don t check a bag at all Predicting the next trends Airline expert Hobica thinks parents might eventually have to pay for a seat for very young children even if they spend the trip in an adult s lap It "wouldn t be a hidden fee but definitely a very expensive fee " He also predicts more airlines following the lead of low-cost carriers Ryanair and Easyjet by charging for the use of a credit card "Think about it the airlines have to pay 2% or 3% or 4% to the credit card company when you use a credit card " Jen Drexler thinks that hotels will start to charge for selecting the room of your choice: "I think you re going to be able to pay to decide do you want to be on a floor near a fire exit do you want to be far away from the ice machine " MORE: 5 travel hacks the airlines don t want you to know about And now that many hotel chains have apps that allow you in to check in and out without seeing a human this will become the default offering You can choose to figure stuff out for yourself or enlist the help of people to problem solve for you "We re going to start paying for human contact " 2017 02 02 04 57 CNN S a ed on cnn com
Fillon fights to keep alive French presidential candidacy
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Conservative leaders in France are rallying around Francois Fillon the beleaguered presidential candidate amid promised new revelations about the alleged illegitimacy of his wife s taxpayer-paid job Broadcaster France Televisions said it would screen video extracts later Thursday from a 2007 interview with Penelope Fillon It said the then-prime minister s wife said she had never worked as Fillon s assistant That appears to contradict Fillon s recent statements that she was legitimately employed as his parliamentary aide Allegations that Penelope Fillon was paid for work she didn t do first reported by French weekly Canard Enchaine and now being investigated by French prosecutors have thrown Fillon s campaign into disarray Seventeen senior conservatives in a statement Thursday declared "total" support for Fillon against what they called an "attempt to kill" his candidacy 2017 02 02 04 56 The Assoc a ed www char o eobserver com
5 things you need to know Thursday
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It’s Feb 2 and therefore Groundhog Day when a media mob heads to western Pennsylvania to witness the predictions of weather-prognosticating rodent Punxsutawney Phil Here’s the drill: If Phil sees his shadow we’re in for six or more weeks of winter weather; if he does not then we can expect an early spring Or not — flipping a coin is pretty much as accurate as Phil Since 1988 the furry forecaster was "right" 14 times and "wrong" 15 times The forecast for Thursday morning in Punxsutawney Pa calls for mostly cloudy skies and a slight chance of snow but Phil is a fickle fuzzball so who knows what he ll do? Funerals for three victims of the deadly shooting in a Quebec City mosque will take place Thursday in Montreal Alexandre Bissonnette 27 has been charged with six counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder after six people were killed and several injured over the weekend while praying Worshippers and members of the city’s Muslim community witnessed the gruesome scene Wednesday when mosque leaders reopened the space
President Donald Trump plans to attend the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington on Thursday White House spokesman Sean Spicer said The annual event which draws politicians faith leaders and dignitaries dates back to the Eisenhower era While the breakfast can often be an opportunity for a pause in the rhetoric of the day it also can also provide a political stage In 2013 Ben Carson entered the national spotlight when he railed against the modern welfare state at the event Two years after Fifty Shades of Grey smashed box office records its sequel is set for a red-carpet premiere Although Fifty Shades Darker fittingly hits theaters nationwide Valentine’s Day weekend the Hollywood premiere will host stars in Los Angeles Thursday before the movie screens in select theaters Feb 9 The film based on the second book in E L James’ series will feature stars Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan as Ana and Christian struggling to make their relationship work with old and new flames suddenly in the mix After what was by all accounts a stellar fourth quarter Wall Street is expecting good things from Amazon when it announces its earnings on Thursday That s because the company which already dominates online retail in the U S has a laser focus on customers as they increasingly rely on e-commerce according to one analyst Amazon stock hit a record high of $847 21 in 2016 and was trading near $825 on Wednesday Weather: The West Coast will get soaked Thursday while snow from the Mountain West rolls into the Midwest Stocks : Asian markets retreated and the dollar wobbled Thursday after the Federal Reserve kept its key lending rate on hold TV Tonight : Here s what we re watching Thursday : Superstore Riverdale and Mom Be inspired : An injured dog leads rescuers to a miraculous discovery Need a break? Try playing some of our games You can subscribe to get the day s top news each weekday in your inbox Contributing: The Associated Press 2017 02 02 04 55 Ed ors rss eeds usa oday com
Uber ups the ante in fight with Taiwan authorities by suspending service
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Uber Technologies Inc said it will suspend its service in Taiwan from Feb 10 firing the latest salvo in the ride-hailing service company s long-running dispute with the island s authorities Uber s move comes after Taiwan recently raised fines against unlicensed ride-sharing services targeted at Uber which the company said were the highest in the world Taiwan has maintained Uber s business is illegal and at one point last year even considered ordering it to leave the domestic market The U S company has protested fines against it and defended its model and in November issued an open letter to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen to intervene appealing to her push to turn Taiwan into a Silicon Valley in Asia But the increase in the fines appears to have driven matters to a head "We will pause our operations until the president and her government find a solution " Damian Kassabgi director of Uber s public policy in the Asia-Pacific region said in an emailed statement Uber said there was no timeline for how long the suspension would last The suspension would not affect UberEATS its the meal takeaway service that relies primarily on scooters for deliveries and was launched in November last year on the island Taiwan s Ministry of Transportation and Communications was not immediately available to comment In a statement on its website Uber said it hoped its service suspension would "reset the conversation and inspire President Tsai to take action " The statement did not specify what action Uber wanted the president to take Uber operates in Taiwan as an internet-based technology platform rather than as a transportation company which its opponents and Taiwanese authorities have said is a mis-representation of its service The company has argued that it provides a technology service and has said there are over 10 000 driver-partners mainly local citizens registered on its platform in Taiwan who use the opportunity afforded by Uber to earn income Uber has been facing similar legal scrutiny in markets across Asia It entered the Taiwan market in 2013 and its growing popularity has triggered anger among domestic taxi drivers who staged a massive protest against Uber last year The company has been consulting with the government on a new cross-border e-commerce bill and offered specific suggestions on ride-sharing regulations according to its statement on Thursday It has also secured local insurance and has reached out to collaborate with the local taxi industry the statement said 2017 02 02 04 46 CNBC www cnbc com
Anti-kidnapping chief: Dumlao fearing Sta Isabel his protectors
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Supt Rafael Dumlao one of the team leaders of the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (PNP AIDG) tagged in the controversial kidnap-slay of South Korean Jee Ick-joo admitted that there were people higher than him protecting his former subordinate SPO3 Ricky Sta Isabel
Senior Supt Glenn Dumlao chief of the PNP’s Anti-Kidnapping Group revealed in an interview on Thursday that during his conversation with Rafael the latter admitted that there was a syndicate protecting Sta Isabel one of the principal suspects in the killing of Jee inside Camp Crame the PNP’s headquarters READ: Korean businessman killed inside PNP headquarters “Ang unang sabi niya sa akin ‘Sta Isabel demonyo ka ’ Sabi ko ‘Bakit takot ka kay Sta Isabel?’ ‘Ang dami nila Hindi niyo sila kaya hindi niyo sila kaya ’” Dumlao said adding that Rafael was in tears when they were talking (First he told me: “Sta Isabel you’re a demon ” I said “Why do you fear Sta Isabel?” “There are many of them You can’t go after them ) “Sinira niyo ang PNP Sinira niyo imahe ng PNP Ibangon niyo naman kahit magsabi ka lang ng totoo at ang sagot niya “Hindi niyo sila kaya ”” he added (I said “You destroyed the PNP You destroyed the image of the PNP Redeem it by saying the truth ” He answered: You can’t go after them ) Dumlao then told Rafael: “That’s your choice If you keep fearing them ikaw makukulong dito ibangon mo sarili mo (you will be jailed redeem yourself) ” The anti-kidnapping chief however did not give further details on the protectors of Sta Isabel Despite the overwhelming evidence against him Sta Isabel repeatedly denied his involvement in the killing of Jee READ: Evidence overwhelming against SPO3 Sta Isabel But Dumlao said Sta Isabel was “obviously lying ” Of all the testimonies given by the persons involved in the crime only Sta Isabel gave a different version Rafael Sta Isabel and two other cops behind the killing were all members of the newly-dissolved PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG) Jee was strangled inside his car parked outside the PNP AIDG and Police Community Relations Group offices last October He was murdered allegedly by Sta Isabel as witnessed by two of his accomplices
On October 18 last year Sta Isabel’s group allegedly under the instructions of Rafael abducted the Hanjin executive and house help Marissa Morquicho from their house in Angeles City Pampanga The cops released Morquicho before they killed Jee inside Crame They then brought his body to a funeral parlor in Caloocan City and had it cremated in a different facility Despite Rafael expressing fears Dumlao assured that they will go after the syndicate now that President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered them to take a stern action on the case “Kaya namin silang banggain Sa galit ng Presidente? Eh kung ang Presidente binabangga si President (Barack) Obama eto lang itong mga ‘to Sa galit ni PNP chief sa galit ni NBI director?” he said (We can go against them With the President’s wrath? If the President can go against President Obama he can surely go after a syndicate With the anger of the PNP chief and NBI director?) /rga 2017 02 02 04 40 Ju ane Love news n o nqu rer ne
Brexit plan to be suggested by government
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The government’s plan for Brexit will face inspection from politicians and a open for a initial time when a white paper is published later The paper that comes after MPs voted to concede a PM to start a Brexit process will outline Downing Street’s negotiating aims for withdrawal a EU MPs corroborated a European Union Bill by 498 votes to 114 on Wednesday night with 47 Labour rebels voting against The check will now face some-more plead before it can spin law MPs will plead a check in some-more fact subsequent week when it reaches a cupboard theatre in a Commons and Labour has vowed to force by amendments Hundreds of amendments have already been tabled for plead between Monday and Wednesday with objectives set out in a government’s plan approaching to attract more The check was published final week after a Supreme Court motionless MPs and peers contingency have a contend before Article 50 could be triggered It deserted a government’s evidence that Mrs May had sufficient powers to trigger Brexit though consulting Parliament Labour personality Jeremy Corbyn pronounced “the conflict of a week ahead” was to figure negotiations “to put jobs vital standards and burden centre stage” “Labour’s amendments are a genuine agenda ” he said “The plea is for MPs of all parties to safeguard a best understanding for Britain and that doesn’t meant giving Theresa May a giveaway palm to spin Britain into a bargain-basement taxation haven ” Sorry your browser can t arrangement this content Did my MP opinion For or Against a Bill? Enter your postcode or a name or subdivision of your MP Mr Corbyn had imposed a three-line whip – a strongest permit during his ordering – on his MPs to opinion in foster of a government’s Brexit bill However 47 Labour MPs defied a whip while shade cupboard members Rachael Maskell and Dawn Butler quit a party’s front dais shortly before a vote Jo Stevens had quiescent final week In total 13 Labour frontbenchers voted opposite their possess celebration position Iain Watson BBC domestic correspondent pronounced a “sizeable” Labour rebellion could grow serve if amendments were not passed A Conservative Party orator pronounced a rebellion showed “Labour can’t pronounce for themselves let alone pronounce for a country” Analysis By Iain Watson BBC domestic correspondent In truth a piece of a government’s white paper will be identical to a debate a primary apportion gave final month environment out her priorities for a stirring negotiations with a EU Only one Conservative MP – a former Chancellor Ken Clarke – voted opposite a element of withdrawal a EU final night though some of his colleagues are some-more approaching to challenge their supervision on a detail Labour however appears some-more divided Three shade cupboard members refused to support triggering Article 50 and stepped down before a vote Jeremy Corbyn is nonetheless to confirm either to fortify a 10 youth shade ministers who rebelled or indeed a 3 whips who were ostensible to levy celebration fortify rather than flourish it With a probability of dual some-more shade cupboard members going subsequent week Mr Corbyn will have to confirm either to relax his instruction not to retard Brexit if Labour’s amendments are defeated The SNP Plaid Cymru and a Liberal Democrats all opposite a government’s bill alongside Tory Ken Clarke The SNP’s unfamiliar affairs orator during Westminster Alex Salmond pronounced there would be “detailed questions” about a check during a cupboard stage He pronounced “the description of a supervision will be judged by how they respond to a amendments” Mr Clarke a usually Conservative MP to challenge his celebration by voting opposite a bill pronounced a outcome was “historic” though a “mood could change” when a “real action” of negotiations with a EU starts Mrs May has set a deadline of 31 Mar for invoking Article 50 of a Lisbon Treaty Talks with a EU are approaching to final adult to dual years with a UK likely to leave a 28-member organization in 2019 2017 02 02 04 37 adm n head nenews oday ne
Little heard in public Bannon is quiet power in Oval Office
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People are beginning to pay more attention to the man behind the curtain It is a mark of Steve Bannon s extraordinary sway in the Trump White House that a man who has spoken so little in public over the past two weeks is getting so much credit — and blame — for what s going on
The conservative media executive s fingerprints are on virtually every significant move taken by President Donald Trump from Trump s sweeping order to suspend the country s refugee program and block visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries to the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court Trump raised eyebrows and hackles when he gave Bannon a seat on the powerful National Security Council Principals Committee Bannon a shaggy-haired agitator-turned-insider eager to make a lasting mark on Washington was a strong advocate for Gorsuch according to a person who spoke with him recently That person spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss a private conversation Bannon s early moves to consolidate power haven t come without pushback In a phone call Monday Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly and Acting Secretary of State Tom Shannon asked the White House to take a back seat in cleaning up confusion caused by the chaotic rollout of the immigration order according to two U S officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren t authorized to speak publicly about internal government discussions White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters disputed the portrayal of the call with Homeland Security saying it was the White House that reached out and asked other agencies to take the lead Still the extent of Bannon s influence was underscored by Trump s striking decision over the weekend to add his name to the roster of top national security hands who meet on the Principals Committee not typically the province of political strategist "Steve s the main ideological mover of the administration He s the chief ideological officer and he has a strong point of view " said Christopher Ruddy the CEO of Newsmax and a friend of the president "I think the bond is their world view " The 64-year-old Bannon shares Trump s business and media experience as well as his dramatic flair He s a fellow disruptor who helped Trump capitalize on the populist anger and frustration that propelled them both to the White House Rarely seen or heard during Trump s campaign Bannon is now a fixture If Trump is moving quickly to overthrow the established order Bannon is the one fomenting rebellion If White House chief of staff Reince Priebus is there to maintain order and focus Bannon is there to wage war "He wants to be the intellectual strategist bomb-thrower " says former House speaker and informal Trump adviser Newt Gingrich who sees Bannon as the perfect ally to the president in disrupting the status quo "He does not want to be the guy who makes the trains run on time " Bannon has cultivated a near-diabolical image in his rare headline-making interviews He recently told The New York Times he sees the media as "the opposition party " and advised the press to "keep its mouth shut" after it underestimated Trump "Darkness is good " he told The Hollywood Reporter shortly after Trump s win "Dick Cheney Darth Vader Satan That s power " As Trump s chief strategist and senior counselor Bannon had a hand in crafting the president s inaugural address and in selecting his Cabinet He s bringing in aides from the conservative Breitbart media empire where he ruled before Trump tapped him to direct his campaign
Trump s move to add Bannon to the National Security Council has drawn howls from Democrats and even some Republicans Bernie Sanders called it "dangerous and unprecedented " Republican Sen John McCain called it a "radical departure" from recent history Former Clinton adviser Robert Reich called Bannon "nuts and malicious " Former deputy campaign manager David Bossie who introduced Trump to Bannon in 2011 says the two got to know each other as Trump appeared multiple times on Bannon s Breitbart radio show over the ensuing years "They believe in each other s agendas which is why they have grown so close " says Bossie Still the two are an unusual match While Trump is not an avid reader Bossie describes Bannon as "a carnivore of books" who s always reading and talking history — ancient Greece the Civil War World War II and more Bannon took over Breitbart News after the sudden death of its founder in 2012 left people wondering what would become of the website By then the former U S Navy officer and Harvard MBA had left behind Goldman Sachs and investment banking capitalized on an entertainment deal that left him with a share of "Seinfeld" royalties founded an institute to ferret out government corruption and created a number of his own films including paeans to Sarah Palin the tea party movement and Ronald Reagan
Under Bannon s guidance Breitbart grew into one the right s most powerful voices as it took on establishment Republicans like House Speaker Paul Ryan Critics however accused Bannon of allowing the website to become a platform for the white nationalist sentiments of the alt-right — a charge Bannon has denied
His politics appear to skew closer to European right-wing views than the typical American conservative agenda He s described himself as an "economic nationalist" and has long advocated for closing off the nation s borders We re in the midst of an "outright war " he s said "between "jihadist Islamic fascism" and the "Judeo-Christian West " Critics see more self-interest than devotion to conservatism in Bannon s history "He s really good at ingratiating himself to prominent people " says Ben Shapiro a former Breitbart editor who s now a Bannon critic Shapiro lists Palin former Minnesota Rep Michele Bachmann and website founder Andrew Breitbart as past subjects of Bannon s attention After Breitbart died adds Shapiro Bannon began using the website to promote Trump — "and then he was able to use that to enter into the halls of power " Another critic Ben Howe a filmmaker and conservative blogger who once considered Bannon a mentor and friend says that while Bannon cultivates the unassuming rumpled look in public "he s nothing like that behind the scenes " talking nonstop and screaming at those who cross him Bannon he says "just looks at Trump as a good vehicle to get into power so that he can accomplish his objectives " ___ Associated Press writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report 2017 02 02 04 33 By NANCY www char o eobserver com
In a divided Hong Kong let’s restore harmony by putting young people first
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In this lunar year of the rooster let us think outside the proverbial box or the rooster pen Let’s start with the chief executive’s He tried his best to shun the lame-duck – if not craven chicken – image He succeeded But only just It’s a good policy address as policy addresses go But at the heart of the address something is missing The disunity in our society is hardly mentioned Precious little is said about our young people or their hopes and fears Young people are our future We ignore them at our peril Take the for example The chief executive put great store by them in his policy address Yet in the margin of historical development these initiatives are obviously for the long term to be implemented some 10 or 20 years down the road Short-term measures such as scholarships and student exchanges are all very well But not lasting enough We need to beef them up with long-term measures The idea of establishing a foreign language school to bring experts here to teach Arabic Greek Turkish Russian etc comes to mind This was once suggested by Professor Brian Hook who saw the city as best placed for such a language school in view of our advantageous geographical position and cultural diversity It is worth our while to resuscitate the idea The lack of harmony and trust in our society is of concern to everyone Our priority must be to consider ways and means of engaging each other to build up trust in the quest for hope and harmony for all here Our new chief executive whoever he or she may be should consider establishing a youth bureau For want of a better word let’s call it the Millennial Ministry The word millennial refers to young people of the X generation or the “me me generation” In this age of entitlement young people are at once self-confident and selfish outrageous and innovative This Millennial Ministry of the young by the young and for the young should in time build up hope and trust through consultation The apotheosis of consultation is power sharing It’s the best way of listening to the voice of the people many of whom have good ideas worth listening to Today is the seventh day of the Chinese New Year This is traditionally regarded as everyone’s birthday Happy birthday everyone! Cock-a-doodle-do! 2017 02 02 04 32 E zabe h Wong www scmp com
China firing blanks in ‘war on pollution’ as smog worsens
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When Premier Li Keqiang in front of China’s close to 3 000 National People’s Congress deputies almost three years ago the sky over the Great Hall of the People in Beijing was clear and blue with the air quality index on that early spring day reading just 17 Vowing to fight pollution with the same determination that China had fought poverty Li’s pledge – the highest-level acknowledgement to date of the seriousness of the issue – offered a glimmer of hope that such blue skies might one day become the norm But fast fast-forward three years and that hope is dwindling with a thick layer of choking smog blanketing large swathes of northern China including the capital this winter – one of the most polluted in years In his work report to the NPC in March 2014 Li described smog as “nature’s red-light warning against inefficient and blind development” and unveiled detailed measures to tackle the problem But despite the investment of much effort and money analysts said lax enforcement of state policies laws and regulations combined with concerns about the slowing economy have watered down Beijing’s ambitions to clear up the air China pledged 10 billion yuan to a smog-fighting fund in 2014 with the money was distributed to nine provincial-level governments in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Yangtze and Pearl river deltas But after an inspection in May last year the Ministry of Finance published a report in December that named and shamed Anhui Tianjin Henan and Shanxi for embezzlement and misappropriation of funds ranging from several million yuan to hundreds of millions Some counties in Anhui were found to have spent their funds on renovating government office buildings digging new wells buying transformers and even entertainment With the red-light warning shining as brightly as ever public discontent has intensified with many accusing the government of making empty promises and criticising it for the lack of action Hundreds of millions of people spent the Christmas and New Year holidays in choking pollution except for the lucky wealthy few who could afford to flee as far as Antarctica and Iceland for “lung-cleansing” escapes Much of northern and central China including the Sichuan basin in the west was once again engulfed by smog ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday and the level of harmful particulate matter in Beijing’s air on Saturday gave the capital its second-smoggiest start to a lunar year in five years The smog dispersed on Sunday Posts berating the government’s insincerity or incompetence in dealing with air pollution are flooding social media lawyers are taking the authorities to court for failing to solve the problem and sporadic protests against smog have surfaced in cities like Chengdu and Beijing “The public’s tolerance and patience is running out and anxiety is growing because they’ve now acquired more understanding of the hazardous impact of smog ” said Ma Jun director of the non-government Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs in Beijing Researchers at home and abroad have published studies showing smog causes in China each year and by two to five years Hospitals in big cities have seen dramatic surges in patients especially children reporting asthma and other respiratory ailments during long smoggy spells People including some doctors have begun discussing the negative psychological effects of smog such as stress and depression To be fair to the government some progress has been made and a series of policies laws and regulations have been put in place They include the national action plan on air pollution issued by the State Council in 2013 a new environmental protection law that came into force in 2015 and a new air pollution law passed that summer Official air quality monitoring data for the 74 cities for which information is available from 2013 to 2016 showed the average concentration of cancer-causing particulates with a diameter of 2 5 microns or less – known as PM2 5 – in the air fell 12 per cent over three years with Beijing scoring a 19 per cent drop But three quarters of cities across China still failed to meet the national air quality standards last year a Greenpeace report said With Beijing’s current rate of PM2 5 reduction the city would not meet the national standard of an annual average of 35 micrograms per cubic metre of air until 2027 and the World Health Organisation standard of 10mcg until 2046 it added “At the current rate of improvement red alerts and airpocalypses will remain a feature of many Chinese citizens’ lives for some time to come ” Greenpeace East Asia climate and energy campaigner Dong Liansai said calling on local governments to speed up the rate of progress Local governments should take most of the blame for the failure to implement and enforce central government pollution policies regulations and laws said Tseming Yang a law professor at Santa Clara University in California who has written extensively on China’s environmental laws “The [provincial and local] environmental protection bureaus’ role in environmental protection is a weak link in the system because they are subject to protectionist pressure from local officials and because they face contradictory incentives in doing their job well ” Yang said With their focus set on achieving economic growth targets safeguarding employment and social stability – are all key measures of their job performance – local officials more often than not turned a blind eye to polluting factories Ma said the new air pollution law required cities to release a list of all exhaust-emitting factories in their jurisdiction and disclose their data to the public but so far only Beijing had complied with the rule “We spent the whole of last year together with other NGOs urging more than 160 cities to publish their list ” Ma said “[These cities] are still thinking about their own development interests knowing if they published the list they will no longer be able to protect those polluting companies ” Some local governments have also been caught falsifying their environmental monitoring data in order to impress the central leadership with officials are now also rated for their achievements in protecting the environment In one widely reported case environmental protection officials in Xian Shanxi province to improve air quality readings In addition to poor implementation and enforcement at the local level the central government’s concerns about economic growth have also pushed the battle against smog lower down its list of priorities PM2 5 levels in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area began rising again from March and April last year after steadily dropping for almost two years Greenpeace said with the increase linked to a surge in steel production sparked by a short-term economic stimulus package designed to prop up the economy The expansion of coal-fired industrial production was a major reason for the region’s “airpocalypses” last autumn and this winter which were worse than in 2015 The difficulty in pushing central government policies laws and regulations down through layers of bureaucracy to China’s vast network of local administrations is not specific to the war on pollution but reflects a tough political reality on various fronts of reform Despite the long-touted efficiency of China’s authoritarian regime many instructions made by the central leaders have met and Li has often been reported to have been in an angry table-pounding mode while berating officials for delaying the implementation of state policies If China’s war on pollution drags on and smog continues to plague the daily lives of its hundreds of millions of citizens it is not only “face” that the central government will lose but also its credibility as in other areas of reform 2017 02 02 04 30 Nec ar Gan www scmp com
Providence police bureau to focus on community relations
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A new bureau has been created in the Providence Police Department that aims to improve police relations with the community WPRI-TV reports that Mayor Jorge Elorza Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare and Police Chief Col Hugh Clements on Wednesday announced the formation of the Community Relations Bureau The bureau will work with community crime watch partners and establish an officer mentoring program for the city s youth It will also work with the Providence Police Advisory Board on concerns and issues in the community Maj Oscar Perez will oversee the bureau Officials say Perez will work to "build enhance and maintain" police relations with residents 2017 02 02 04 29 The Assoc a ed www char o eobserver com
AP: Gorsuch case review shows he's no crusader on abortion
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On the campaign trail President Donald Trump promised to appoint a crusading anti-abortion Supreme Court justice who d work to overturn the Roe v Wade opinion that legalized it However an Associated Press review of decisions and writings by Neil Gorsuch during a decade as a federal appeals court judge in Denver turns up no guarantees on how he might rule on that hot-button issue The review of Gorsuch s record reveals he has taken positions against assisted suicide and in favor of "religious exemption" laws that allow employers who object to escape paying for contraception — issues that both sides of the abortion debate have seized on to parse his judicial history Abortion rights groups immediately criticized the nomination saying Gorsuch represents a threat to women s reproductive rights and to the landmark Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion nationwide in 1973
"With a clear track record of supporting an agenda that undermines abortion access and endangers women there is no doubt that Gorsuch is a direct threat to Roe v Wade and the promise it holds for women s equality " NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue said in a statement The president of the Family Research Council which backed Trump heralded the president s nomination of Gorsuch as a win for abortion opponents in a TV appearance Tuesday "He said he was going to pick pro-life judges that were strict constructionists and that s what we appear to have in Judge Gorsuch " Tony Perkins said in an interview on Fox News Channel "So I think evangelicals are going to be very pleased " Observers looking for clues on how Gorsuch might rule on specific cases may be disappointed While the judge has made his views clear on some aspects of the law and expressed his broader judicial philosophy he has left few tracks that would enable an easy prediction as to how he might rule on a particular case
The 49-year-old jurist colorful and even humorous at times has largely stuck to narrow legal issues while writing about subjects that others sprinkle with inflammatory rhetoric whether they are related to abortion reproductive rights the death penalty or civil rights It appears he hasn t written an opinion directly about abortion Gorsuch is on a list of experts compiled by The Federalist Society which was founded to advance conservative ideas in the legal system He also has contributed to the campaigns of Republican politicians who were anti-abortion On the 10th U S Circuit Court of Appeals Gorsuch ruled against the contraceptive mandate in the Affordable Care Act In 2013 he joined the majority of the circuit in ruling in favor of Hobby Lobby and the owners of the Christian-owned arts and crafts chain which objected on religious grounds to the Affordable Care Act s birth control coverage requirement Gorsuch wrote a separate opinion in that case in which he outlined what he saw as a moral dilemma facing the family that owns Hobby Lobby and a related company if they were forced to pay for certain contraceptives The law requires companies to support payments for "drugs or devices that can have the effect of destroying a fertilized human egg " Gorsuch wrote They believe that "violates their faith representing a degree of complicity their religion disallows " The Supreme Court later ruled that employers who object on such grounds do not have to pay but their insurance still must make contraception available ultimately reimbursed by the federal government After an anti-abortion group in 2015 released secretly recorded videos showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing how they sometimes provide fetal tissue to researchers — which is legal if no profit is made — Utah Gov Gary Herbert a Republican ordered the organization stripped of public funding Planned Parenthood denied any wrongdoing and challenged the governor s move in court The case ultimately made its way to the 10th Circuit which ruled that the governor could not halt funding to the women s health organization When a judge requested a rehearing it was denied but Gorsuch wrote a powerful dissent defending Herbert s action which he described as being prompted only by the videos and not by the governor s longstanding opposition to abortion "The panel cited the fact that the governor has long opposed abortion and from this inferred that he wanted to punish the group for its lawful abortion advocacy " Gorsuch wrote in 2016 "But it is undisputed that the governor has held office since 2009 and had taken no action against (Planned Parenthood Association of Utah) until shortly after the release of the videos in 2015 " Gorsuch also has given some indications of his positions on euthanasia and the death penalty In a 2006 book titled "The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia " he characterized assisted suicide as "essentially a right to consensual homicide " He also has joined decisions upholding death sentences In September 2015 Gorsuch wrote the opinion in a 2-1 decision upholding the death sentence for Scott Eizember who had gone on a deadly crime spree in 2003 Eizember was sentenced to be executed for the bludgeoning death of A J Cantrell 76 and to 150 years in prison in the shotgun slaying of Patsy Cantrell 70 at their Oklahoma home His attorneys argued the death sentence should be overturned because a particular juror should not have been allowed to participate They said the juror stated during jury selection that she was in favor of the death penalty Eizember s attorneys said that raised doubts about the juror s ability to be fair and impartial But Gorsuch disagreed "Scott Eizember left a Tulsa jail intent on settling a score He was upset with his ex-girlfriend Kathy Biggs because she had tipped off authorities about his violation of a protective order " he wrote ___ Burke reported from San Francisco and Weiss from Charlotte North Carolina AP writer Gillian Flaccus and AP Researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed to this report The AP National Investigative Team can be reached at investigate@ap org 2017 02 02 04 27 By LARRY www char o eobserver com
Mattis criticizes NKorea ahead of talks with Japan SKorea
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OSAN AIR BASE South Korea (AP) - In his first public remarks abroad as U S defense secretary Jim Mattis is criticizing North Korea for provocative acts that require new consultations with Japan and South Korea Mattis spoke to reporters aboard his military plane Thursday en route to Seoul from Washington Mattis says he needs to speak with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts during this trip about what new defensive steps might be needed to deal with North Korea s nuclear and missile threats The new Pentagon chief says his Seoul meetings will include discussion of deploying the U S missile defense system known as THAAD Copyright 2017 The Associated Press All rights reserved This material may not be published broadcast rewritten or redistributed 2017 02 02 04 26 www cbs46 com
Trump's VA pick pledges to save beleaguered agency
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By HOPE YEN Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Physician David Shulkin is headed toward likely confirmation as President Donald Trump s veterans affairs secretary after offering repeated assurances to sometimes skeptical senators that he will work quickly to meet the medical care needs of millions of veterans without dismantling the beleaguered department
At his confirmation hearing Shulkin the top health official at the Department of Veterans Affairs since 2015 cited efforts during his tenure to improve wait times for veterans needing urgent care such as same-day services in primary care and mental health at VA medical centers He urged a more integrated VA network in which veterans could seek outside care but only in close coordination with the VA "VA is a unique national resource that is worth saving and I am committed to doing just that " Shulkin said "There will be far greater accountability dramatically improved access responsiveness and expanded care options " Pressed repeatedly as to whether he may be pressured by Trump to privatize the agency he told the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee that he believed that VA hospitals offered unique services in treating battlefield injury "We share a common vision that we have to do a lot better for veterans " Shulkin said adding that Trump set no preconditions when offering him the VA secretary job "He knows I will follow my values " The 57-year-old physician is expected to be easily confirmed by the Senate A committee vote is expected as early as next week Shulkin would be the lone former Obama administration official serving in Trump s Cabinet As secretary he would take over amid a conservative push to privatize government services "Sooner than later you ll come to a crossroads And you ll have to choose whether to pursue what you think is best for veterans or what the president tells you is best for veterans " said Sen Jon Tester the top Democrat on the panel who repeatedly grilled Shulkin about his views on Trump s hiring freeze in the federal government and willingness to consider privatization Diverging from Trump who criticized the VA during the presidential campaign as "the most corrupt " Shulkin indicated that wide-scale firings weren t necessary Trump wants to fire and discipline VA employees have a commission investigate wrongdoing and create a 24-hour White House hotline to register complaints about the agency "VA has many dedicated employees across the country and our veterans tell us that every day " Shulkin said
As undersecretary of health for the agency Shulkin has managed a system responsible for 9 million military veterans in more than 1 700 facilities He was given responsibility for improving wait times for medical care following the 2014 scandal at the Phoenix VA medical center Veterans waited months for care even as VA employees created secret waiting lists and other falsehoods to cover up delays But his tenure under former VA Secretary Bob McDonald wasn t always well-received Recent reviews by the Government Accountability Office and the AP separately found limited progress in improving wait times with VA data often misleading A forthcoming GAO report this month also will place the VA health system once again on its "high risk" list citing the potential for significant problems due to waste fraud mismanagement or structural flaws Shulkin is generally supported by the largest veterans organizations which have praised steps begun under President Barack Obama to address the VA s problems They oppose greater privatization as a threat to the viability of VA medical centers The VA has nearly 370 000 employees and an annual budget of nearly $167 billion
In his testimony Shulkin did not rule out closing underused VA facilities and said he would explore "public-private partnerships" to avoid building new medical centers that cost too much or take too long to build There were widely reported cost overruns at the VA hospital in Aurora Colorado He also reiterated his support for the VA workforce calling it the "best in health care " Anyone who "beats up" the VA is being counterproductive and destructive Shulkin said noting that it has affected the VA s ability to fill vacancies "It s got to stop "
The son of an Army psychiatrist and grandson of a VA pharmacist Shulkin is a former president of the Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey He was president and CEO of the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York and chief medical officer at the University of Pennsylvania Health System ___ Follow Hope Yen on Twitter at https://twitter com/hopeyen1 2017 02 02 04 23 By www wra com
For Guam skipping the 2019 Asian Cup is a lost opportunity
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Less than two years after the team from tiny Guam drew international attention in the qualifying tournament for the 2018 World Cup the football story in the northern Pacific island has turned to one of broken dreams Prior to June 2015 the United States territory which joined FIFA only in 1996 had lost its only two World Cup qualifiers with a combined score of 35-0 Then with the space of five days Guam beat Turkmenistan and India to temporarily top an Asian qualifying group containing Iran and Oman and jumped to No 146 in FIFA s rankings its highest ever place The results also earned Guam — for the first time — a spot in the final round of qualification for the Asian Cup to be held in 2019 But that opportunity is gone Guam Football Associated chief executive Richard Lai last month blamed a lack of funding when he announced the decision to withdraw from the continental tournament So when the draw was made last week Nepal slotted into Guam s allocated spot and ended up in Group F with Philippines Tajikistan and Yemen The winners and runners-up in all six groups will advance to the AFC Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2019 The decision to withdraw from the qualifying generated backlash from players and fans but Lai told The Associated Press that it would cost around $1 2 million to compete in the six qualifying games and "We just don t have the money " He said many of the players are based in the United States and the cost of flying them into and out of Guam and setting up training camps drives up the costs for an FA with little sponsorship broadcasting revenue or government support
"There is no sports ministry here to support the team (and) every NGO here has to be self-sustaining " Lai said "The FIFA grants come with conditions regarding women s football and youth football and facilities We can t keep investing all we have in the national team only " The federation said it plans to focus on Guam s youngsters in the hope it will pay dividends in the future "We can develop more and better players help more go to the U S and improve then we can play friendlies against teams like Thailand and Singapore and start generating revenue " Lai said Jason Cunliffe who was captain of the national team said he was upset when he found out through the media that Guam had withdrawn from the Asian Cup "The money is there I think maybe not all of it was there immediately but there was a way " he said "We ve known since March that we had reached this stage of qualification and we were told to prepare There has been no effort from the GFA to raise funds " Lai "and everyone else have done a good job in the past but we can t rest on our laurels " he said "We no longer have faith in the decision-makers " Gary White was the Guam coach in 2015 before leaving in 2016 to take over Chinese club Shanghai Shenxin said the success came from administrators and players "pulling together " "I had support from the federation and the commitment from the players " White said "There is enough leadership both in the GFA and among the players that they will get back on track " For Lai the last World Cup campaign was a special situation for the island of 165 000 people "We wanted to see were we stood to measure our development 20 years after joining FIFA " he said "What we achieved was phenomenal but now we have no savings Withdrawing was a hard decision but was really our only option — better to withdraw before the start than halfway through " Cunliffe believes his squad could have finished in the top two in qualifying and reached the Asian Cup for the first time "The opportunity was there to put our island on the map " he said "But that opportunity that the players gave everything to earn has been taken away Not by someone else but by our own federation and that is hard for us to swallow " Copyright 2017 The Associated Press All rights reserved This material may not be published broadcast rewritten or redistributed 2017 02 02 04 22 AP rss eeds usa oday com
US threatens Iran but what comes next?
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National Security Adviser Michael Flynn made a surprise first-on-camera appearance Wednesday using the authority of the White House briefing room to send a strong message to the leaders of the Islamic Republic and the wider Middle East "As of today we are officially putting Iran on notice " Flynn said in a statement condemning a recent Iranian ballistic missile launch and attacks on Saudi and Emirati vessels by Yemeni-based Houthi rebels which are backed by Iran Flynn also spoke of threats to the US and allied shipping in the Red Sea in remarks that left little doubt that an era of dialogue between the Obama administration and Iran which thawed more than 30 years of boiling antagonism and proxy warfare is now over Flynn intended to make clear that the new management in the White House would not tolerate what it sees as Iran s destabilizing activity throughout the wider Middle East following Republican claims that the last White House did just that to shield its legacyenhancing nuclear deal
"The Obama administration failed to respond adequately to Tehran s malignant actions including weapons transfers support for terrorism and other violations of international norms " said Flynn "The Trump administration condemns such actions by Iran that undermine security prosperity and stability throughout and beyond the Middle East and place American lives at risk " Tony Blinken the former deputy secretary of state in the Obama administration said that Iranian missile tests were a serious issue and that a mechanism existed at the UN to address any infringements Blinken now a CNN contributor added: "I am not sure what putting Iran on notice means " Flynn argued that the test-firing of the missile on Sunday was a breach of a UN Security Council resolution Iran denied that the launch infringed the resolution which bars the testing of nuclear-capable missiles White House officials were careful to say that the new rugged US approach to Iran stood apart from the international deal to put a lid on the Iran s nuclear program But the statement was a clear sign that the new White House intends to make a sharp change of course from the Obama years and is willing to be more proactive in confronting Iran s projection of power that it believes threatens its Middle East allies
The day s events were also a study in the pitfalls of a new administration enacting its stated determination to strike a tougher more steely posture on the world stage before it has formulated its policy options and is able to say what steps it will take to enforce its warnings Several hours after Flynn spoke three administration officials speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss White House policy conducted a briefing for reporters but offered little to illuminate Flynn s warning "There are a large number of options available to the administration we are going to take appropriate action And I will not provide any further information today relative to the question " one of the senior officials said Pressed by reporters on whether he envisaged military economic or other action the official declined to elaborate "We are considering a whole range of options we are in a deliberative process " the official said "The important thing here is we are communicating that Iranian behavior needs to be rethought by Tehran that we consider these actions to be inherently destabilizing and a treat to our friends and allies " The official said that the new administration was considering such behavior in a "different perspective" than the previous administration while a second official warned that the Trump team would not be "shy" in responding to Iran on issues of state-sponsored terrorism for instance But after Flynn s warning and Trump s promise in his campaign that his tough leadership style will win new respect from US enemies the lack of specifics could risk leaving Tehran with the impression that the administration is not yet ready to respond to any escalation For now the White House seems to be hoping that words will be enough "It is our sincere hope that Iran will heed this notice today and will change their behavior " the first official said Wednesday s word of warning from Flynn were his first chance to flex his authority since he was selected to the post by Trump The former general had to endure intense criticism after he was named and warnings by former colleagues that he lacked the temperament experience and knowledge for the role But Sen Bob Corker the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who met with Flynn Wednesday backed the new tone coming out of the White House "I am very encouraged by the seriousness with which President Trump is approaching the full range of threats Iran poses to American interests " Corker said in a statement "It is clear that Iran will no longer be given a pass and will be held accountable for its illicit behavior " 2017 02 02 04 22 S ephen Co nson rss cnn com
Murdered Paarl woman was pregnant - prosecution
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Cape Town - Murdered Nicola Pienaar was pregnant when she was killed and her stomach slashed a crime the State believes was premeditated it emerged in the Paarl Magistrate s Court on Thursday Earlier Pienaar s emotional mother had a hard time holding back her tears ahead of the appearance of the man accused of murdering her daughter Oosthuizen is said to have led officers to his home in Paarl on Sunday where Pienaar s body was found buried under rubble 2017 02 02 04 21 www news24 com
Stunning space station image captures Earth’s natural ‘checkerboard’ — RT Viral
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A photo taken on board the ISS this week shows how the intermingling of the natural world and mankind can accidentally create some stunning aerial photos Photographed from above the Priest River in Idaho’s Bonner County the giant checkerboard is made up of sections of deforested ground covered in snow alternating with forested land
The land was divided like this back in the 1800s when the US government sold alternating parcels of land in the Gem State to the Northern Pacific Railroad In time these one-square-mile patches of land were deforested thus creating the checkerboard effect we see today according to NASA READ MORE: NOAA delivers stunning first satellite images of Earth (PHOTOS) 2017 02 02 04 19 www r com
US Defense Chief Mattis: Only North Korea need fear THAAD missile defense
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"THAAD is for defense of our allies people of our troops who are committed to their defense and were it not for the provocative behavior of North Korea we would have no need for THAAD out here " Mattis said referring to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system After arriving at the Osan Air Base outside Seoul he said "there is no other nation that needs to be concerned about THAAD other than North Korea " The planned deployment of THAAD in South Korea has drawn criticism from China which sees it as part of a broader US strategy to extend its military alliance network from Japan all the way down to the South China Sea But Mattis said that is not the case "There s only one reason we even have this under discussion right now and that is North Korea s activities " he said Mattis arrival in South Korea comes at a time of relative quiet from Kim Jong Un s regime in Pyongyang which hasn t tested a ballistic missile since October 20 after firing off projectiles at a record rate earlier in 2016 The question North Korea watchers are asking: How long will Kim keep his missile program grounded? Some analysts expect testing to resume soon "They have a wonderful tradition of greeting every new US President with a bit of fireworks sometimes a nuclear test sometimes ICBM launch and they re not going to break this tradition " Korean studies professor Andrei Lankov of Kookmin University in Seoul told CNN But Bruce Bennett of the Rand Corporation think tank said Kim s testing hiatus is focused not on Washington but on Seoul and the impeachment in December of President Park Geun-hye in a corruption scandal Her fate is now before South Korea s Constitutional Court A decision against her could trigger elections earlier than the mandated December 20 deadline "I believe that North Korea s number one objective between now and the ROK presidential election is to ensure that the new South Korean President will be a progressive and certainly not a conservative " Bennett said using the acronym for the Republic of Korea "But any provocations that it commits would give support to conservative candidates " said the senior defense analyst John Delury a professor at Yonsei University in Seoul concurs with Bennett to a point saying Kim is keeping relatively quiet because of the presidential uncertainty in Seoul but also to see what course US President Donald Trump will take on relations with Pyongyang After Kim said in a televised New Year s Day speech that his military is on the brink of testing its first intercontinental ballistic missile -- a rocket that can be equipped with nuclear weapons and is powerful enough to reach any part of the US -- Trump vowed in a tweet "It won t happen " The then-President-elect didn t say how he d block Kim s missile ambitions But on the campaign trail last year Trump said he might be willing to meet the North Korean leader for discussions over a hamburger Mattis said Thursday he s in South Korea to listen to its leaders before deciding on exactly what strategy the Trump administration will adopt concerning Pyongyang "I need to get some data from them I need to get their appreciation of the situation before I start making statements about where I stand " Mattis said "It s hard to anticipate what they do " he said of the North but he was cautious not to inflame the situation "We maintained what passes for peace so far to a degree " he said 2017 02 02 04 16 Brad Lendon rss cnn com
Trump can do better on terrorism: Allen and O'Hanlon
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Let’s give President Trump his due There is no doubt that our new commander in chief has identified a serious concern that terrorists could infiltrate the waves of refugees and other individuals surging across the globe Several recent violent tragedies in Europe including the catastrophic Bataclan attack in Paris in November 2015 involved individuals who had traveled to war zones before sneaking into Europe to carry out their abhorrent plans Disguising terrorists within otherwise friendly and cooperative populations is a classic tactic for extremist groups
Indeed when retired Marine Corps general John Allen was commander in Afghanistan from 2011 through early 2013 for example Afghans posing as loyal police or army soldiers killed dozens of NATO troops ( most of them American ) and nearly sank the entire mission Some who perpetrated these “green-on-blue” attacks may have been mentally unstable But others gained access to Western personnel in patient and diabolical plots that played out over weeks or months It is true that this same type of tactic could be attempted among those trying to reach the United States At the same time Trump needs to rapidly reevaluate and revise his executive order As it stands now it could do enormous harm to the broader struggle against terrorism — and thus ultimately to America s own security even here in the homeland In particular it will damage America s image in the world betray friends and allies who have fought with us complicate cooperation with governments we need to help us defeat the Islamic State and leave many vulnerable individuals unable to return to jobs and families — or to reach asylum in the first place Though the order responds to a legitimate fear its logic and specific elements are misguided To begin none of the major attacks on American soil since 9/11 have involved individuals embedded within refugee or immigration groups from the seven countries involved in the order Yes the 9/11 attackers did abuse the immigration system and evade watch lists But U S agencies are now much better at connecting dots and sharing information across the government Our vetting has also improved and is very good today Even if one had doubts why ban women with their innocent children? There have been only a modest number of female terrorists among today s Salafists and jihadists; hardly any of these are moms Why ban former interpreters who worked with U S forces? They have already proven their trustworthiness and we owe them a great debt Why ban anyone over 50? Terrorists over that age are extremely rare POLICING THE USA: A look at race justice media It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Trump s executive action is poorly thought through and more symbolic than substantive And while the Trump administration fervently denies that this is a ban on Muslim immigration many will find it difficult to conclude otherwise given various statements from Trump and his team So we would suggest that Trump recast his approach to what is a legitimate issue For example:
And if we re truly seeking to defeat extremism we should organize to attack the underlying causes of the radicalization that fuels this seemingly interminable Salafist violence worldwide Above all we should recognize that it is not about being Muslim or about the Islamic faith It is important to take on these challenges early in a Trump presidency rather than rely on largely irrelevant and in fact mostly counterproductive executive actions of the type taken last week John Allen is a retired Marine Corps general who commanded NATO s ISAF mission in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2013 and coordinated the international coalition to counter the Islamic State from 2014 to 2015 Michael O Hanlon is the author of The $650 Billion Bargain: The Case for Modest Growth in America s Defense Budget Both are senior fellows at the Brookings Institution You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page on Twitter @USATOpinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter To submit a letter comment or column check our submission guidelines 2017 02 02 04 16 John A en rss eeds usa oday com
Sony posts healthy growth in PlayStation 4 sales for holiday quarter
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Above: The PlayStation 4 Pro in its vertical stance Sony tonight that it sold a healthy amount of PlayStation 4 video game consoles during the holiday season and the overall third fiscal quarter ended December 31 Sony previously that it sold through more than 6 2 million PS4 units during the holiday season bringing the grant total to more than 53 4 million units sold to date The Japanese company also reported in its earnings announcement that it sold more than 50 4 million copies of PS4 software For the third fiscal quarter ended December 31 Sony reported game and network service revenues of $5 3 billion (617 7 billion yen) up from $5 20 billion (587 7 billion yen) a year earlier Operating income was $431 million (50 billion yen) compared to $372 million (42 billion yen) a year earlier Sony launched the PlayStation VR headset during the quarter which helped contribute to overall sales but Sony didn’t say how many units it sold The gains were partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates and a price cut for the PS4 hardware Profits were higher because of cost reductions and the boost in PS4 software sales Overall Sony had a fairly weak quarter cutting its profit outlook after taking a on its movie business Declining sales of DVDs and Bluray discs dimmed the outlook Sony also had damage to its image sensor production related to April earthquakes at Japanese factories 2017 02 02 04 15 Dean Takahash eedproxy goog e com
Religious right looking to Trump for protections
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Religious conservatives whose overwhelming support propelled Donald Trump to the White House are watching closely for him to deliver on promised protections for religious objectors to gay marriage and abortion On Thursday Trump speaks at the National Prayer Breakfast a high-profile event bringing together faith leaders politicians and dignitaries He has not indicated how he ll act on the provisions sought by religious conservatives which critics say could sanction discrimination against gays
The annual breakfast offers an opportunity for a pause in the rhetoric of the day It also provides a political spotlight as it did in 2013 for Ben Carson who drew national attention as a Republican presidential candidate for railing against the modern welfare state Earlier this week the Trump administration announced that the president would leave intact a 2014 executive order that protects workers for federal contractors from anti-LGBTQ discrimination saying in a statement that Trump "continues to be respectful and supportive of LGBTQ rights just as he was throughout the election "
Still religious conservatives have high expectations that Trump will follow through on his promises through executive orders or other actions said Kelly Shackelford head of First Liberty Institute a non-profit legal group that specializes in religious freedom cases Shackelford said he couldn t think of any candidates "who have been more outspoken on their commitment to religious freedom" than Trump He particularly noted Trump s pledge to repeal the Johnson Amendment an IRS rule barring pastors from endorsing candidates from the pulpit Supporters of LGBTQ rights held similar expectations about Trump and convened a call with reporters on Wednesday to express their anxiety "We think it is entirely possible there could be an executive order that creates religious exemptions " said James Esseks LGBT project director for the American Civil Liberties Union He added that the "narrative" that Trump won t harm the LGBTQ community was "not correct " During a Monday news briefing White House spokesman Sean Spicer offered no details on whether Trump could still issue an executive order affecting the LGBTQ community "There is a lot of executive orders a lot of things that the president has talked about and will continue to fulfill but we have nothing on that front now " Spicer said The White House press office did not respond Wednesday to a request for further comment For now both sides are speculating on Trump s plans
Gay rights supporters argue that he could sign an executive order that would allow religious organizations that receive federal money — like charities or hospitals — to make hiring and other decisions based on religion They also said he could offer a more wide-ranging order Religious conservatives who saw a series of defeats on same-sex marriage abortion and other issues under former President Barack Obama have been bolstered by Trump s win In a letter last year to Roman Catholics Trump pledged "I will defend your religious liberties and the right to fully and freely practice your religion as individuals business owners and academic institutions " Trump s Supreme Court pick this week was also considered a positive sign
A favorite of conservatives Neil Gorsuch serves on the 10th U S Circuit Court of Appeals where he sided with Hobby Lobby and the Little Sisters of the Poor when they mounted religious objections to the Obama administration s requirement that employers provide health insurance that includes contraceptives 2017 02 02 04 15 By CATHER NE www henews r bune com
No case of animal abuse at Malaysian Zoo
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By Kelly Koh It is habitual for lions to sleep during the day as a male lion sleeps for an average of 20 hours a day said the Malaysian state of Malacca’s Tourism River Beach and Islands Development Committee deputy chairman Datuk Ghazale Muhamad Ghazale was refuting claims of abuse against animals at the Melaka Zoo and Night Safari He urged visitors to not to spread false news and create unwarranted doubts of animal torture in their enclosures here “I have gone to the zoo to check yesterday after seeing a post going viral on social media “I was informed by the zoo veterinarians that are normal for lions to sleep most of the time and it is only active for four hours There was also no element of abuse ” said Ghazale The post which had gone viral on Facebook showed pictures of tigers and lions lying motionlessly in their enclosure The Facebook user in his caption claimed that due to decreasing numbers of visitors to the Melaka Zoo this have affected the zoo’s income and in turn the zoo’s management cannot afford to maintain the animals in the zoo He had said the lions and tigers looked thin scrawny and lifeless 2017 02 02 04 15 New S ra s www scmp com
Alaska board considers rules for marijuana use at pot shops
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Marijuana regulators in Alaska are poised to consider rules allowing authorized retail pot shops to have areas where customers could light up It s an idea the Marijuana Control Board has been mulling since late 2015 but it has yet to finalize rules for allowing onsite use of marijuana products The issue is expected to be raised during a Thursday board meeting in Juneau Alaska stands to be the first state to allow onsite use Alaska voters approved legalizing recreational marijuana for those 21 and over in 2014 But it has taken time to write the rules and for the industry to begin establishing itself The first license for a legal pot business was issued last June to a testing facility The first retail shops opened last fall Recreational marijuana is legal in seven other states and the District of Columbia 2017 02 02 04 13 The Assoc a ed www henews r bune com
2 Ukrainian troops killed in fighting in the east
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Two Ukrainian troops have been killed in the country s industrial east as both government forces and rebels reported shelling on their positions overnight Ukraine s government said early Thursday Ten other troops were wounded as fighting in Ukraine s industrial heartland entered its fifth day the Ukrainian government s press office for the military operation in the east said In rebel stronghold Donetsk self-proclaimed authorities said two civilians were injured Wednesday evening when projectiles hit their houses in Donetsk s north
Associated Press reporters on both sides of the conflict which has been raging since 2014 heard salvos of Grad multiple grenade launchers during the night Both Russia-backed separatist rebels and the Ukrainian government in 2015 committed to cease fire and withdraw heavy weaponry including Grads At least 10 people have been killed in eastern Ukraine since Monday and dozens wounded including civilians on both sides of the front line Shelling over the weekend damaged water heating and power supply to government-controlled factory town of Avdiivka the epicenter of fighting amid a strong cold snap By Thursday the water supply and heating in the town which is just miles away from Donetsk has been partly restored Avdiivka however remains without electricity as workers can t access the areas where the power lines were cut because of sustained fighting 2017 02 02 04 13 By NNA www hera don ne com
Dakota Johnson promotes Fifty Shades Darker on Seth Myers
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Dakota Johnson wore an angelic white dress on Wednesday while promoting her erotic sequel Fifty Shades Darker on a chat show The 27-year-old actress looked stunning in the long-sleeved white gown with front peek-a-boo cutout while appearing on Late Night With Seth Meyers The daugher of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith was promoting the sequel Fifty Shades Darker that opens on February 10 Lady in white: Dakota Johnson looked angelic in white while promoting her new erotic sequel on Wednesday on a chat show She s reprising her role of Anastasia Steele from the 2015 drama Fifty Shades Of Grey Dakota also will play Anastasia in the final film of the trilogy Fifty Shades Freed due out on February 9 2018 The films are based on the erotic romance novels by 53-year-old English author E L James She stars in the trilogy opposite Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey Famous family: The daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson was promoting Fifty Shades Darker on Late Night With Seth Meyers Sonia Rykiel Pre-Fall 2017 Shop the current collection at Farfetch Buy now Dakota Johnson is doing the rounds to promote Fifty Shades Darker at the moment and she s really on a roll when it comes to style As well as her go-to Gucci we ve also spotted her wearing everything from Mugler to The Vampire s Wife Bravo to her stylist Kate Young!
She mixed things up again for her appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers wearing a dress by Sonia Rykiel The brand might be famous for knitwear but clearly they do crushed velvet just as well! We love the keyhole cut out neckline flattering midi length and long sleeves on this silvery white dress which hails from the Pre-Fall 2017 collection Unfortunately that means it s not yet available to buy but click (right) to shop the current Sonia Rykiel collection at Farfetch or vamp it up in velvet with the help of our edit below From Glamorous to Valentino we ve got all budgets covered! Glamorous velvet dress at Nasty Gal (now reduced to £22) Buy now Valentino velvet midi dress at Net-a-Porter (now reduced to £2871) Buy now Liquorish velvet dress at Asos (now reduced to £26) Buy now Lac Bleu velvet midi dress at Shoptiques (now reduced to £32) Buy now Dakota has been making the rounds promoting the Universal Pictures film She appeared on NBC s Today Show on Wednesday morning to promote the R-rated film Dakota also appeared on NBC s The Tonight Show on Tuesday night Popular movie: The first film in the trilogy Fifty Shades Of Grey earned $571 million She s hanging: Dakota demonstrated hanging a spoon on her nose She played a game of mad libs with host Jimmy Fallon that was inspired by a scene from Fifty Shades Of Grey Fifty Shades Darker will open against two other sequels The Lego Batman Movie and John Wick: Chapter 2 The final installment of the trilogy was filmed back-to-back to Fifty Shades Darker Fifty Shades Of Grey earned $571 million at the worldwide box office Promotional duty: The actress appeared on The Tonight Show on Tuesday to promote the film 2017 02 02 04 11 Pau Chavez www da yma co uk
Knesset speaker meets Paul Ryan urges him to support embassy move
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Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein met with American counterpart Paul Ryan Speaker of the US House of Representatives on Wednesday in Washington In the meeting the two discussed one of the most controversial moves US President Donald Trump has vowed to promote - the possible relocation of the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem 2017 02 02 04 06 Joy Bernard www pos com
German foreign minister to visit US with 'friendship offer'
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Germany s foreign minister is heading for Washington to meet newly sworn-in U S Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and convey what he calls an "offer of friendship and trust " Sigmar Gabriel s trip on Thursday follows criticism by Chancellor Angela Merkel of President Donald Trump s restrictions on immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries It also comes amid concern in Berlin about the new administration s intentions on trade Gabriel who is also Germany s vice chancellor is also expected to meet U S Vice President Mike Pence He stressed the United States longstanding status as his country s closest ally outside Europe Gabriel said that "the friendship between two nations is far more than thriving cooperation between governments but without good and trusting relations between both governments it can t go well " 2017 02 02 04 05 CNBC www cnbc com
Bruno Mars: If I could trade music to have mom back I would
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Bruno Mars one of the most famous and celebrated international superstars today credits much of his success to his Filipino mom who died of brain aneurysm in 2013 at age 55 In an interview with Latina magazine the 31-year-old superstar said he would do anything if only he could have his mom back The easy-going singer turned serious and sad when asked about his mother “The woman who taught you to love showed you what a woman is supposed to be… When that goes away a little more than half your heart goes away with it ” Mars explained “My life has changed She’s more than my music If I could trade music to have her back I would I always hear her say ‘Keep going and keep doing it ” he added “You just gotta know that she’s with me everywhere I go ” Mars continued “It’s something that you can’t imagine—the pain and the things that you keep going back to: ‘I wish I would’ve done this or said this ’ You just have to see life differently It shows you the real importance of life Nothing else matters in this world but family and your loved ones ” Mars’ mother Bernadette San Pedro Bayot was 55 when she died Bayot emigrated from the Philippines to Hawaii where she met Mars’ father Pedrito Hernandez a half-Puerto Rican and half-Ashkenazi Jewish who would become her husband and the father of her six kids “Growing up in Hawaii there weren’t too many Puerto Ricans there So because of my hair they thought I was black and white ” Mars told Latina magazine 2017 02 02 04 03 NQU RER ne en er a nmen nqu rer ne
TV tonight: 'Superstore ' 'Riverdale ' 'Mom'
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Superstore NBC 8 ET/PT
Superstore fans who long to see Amy (America Ferrera) end up with Jonah (Ben Feldman) may move one step closer to (or farther from) their goal this week as word gets out that Amy and her husband are seeing a marriage counselor The immediate reaction however comes not from Jonah but Dina (Lauren Ash) who tries to cheer Amy up by forcibly taking her to a “ladies’ lunch ” See Robert Bianco s answers to recent reader questions Riverdale CW 9 ET/PT Well that didn’t take long In just its second episode this promising CW Archie update brings you the inevitable performance of Sugar Sugar — gussied up here by Josie and the Pussycats and performed at one of the oddest pep rallies in history This outing expands our view of the adult characters and of Madelaine Petsch’s Cheryl all of which are trouble spots Still if you liked the first episode nothing in the second is likely to deter you from watching the third — which means it accomplishes a TV series main task Mom CBS 9 ET/PT You’ve probably seen a comedy where adults get high by eating some baked good they didn’t know was laced with pot But you haven’t seen that particular twist played out by Allison Janney Anna Faris Jaime Pressly and Beth Hall which is reason enough to watch it on Mom 2017 02 02 04 02 Rober B anco rss eeds usa oday com
Reddit users reveal their worst restaurant experiences
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When it comes to hospitality it doesn t take much to ensure customers have an enjoyable dining experience But it seems many servers and business owners haven t quite hit the mark in terms of etiquette manners and general hygiene Here a number of furious diners have shared their most awful restaurant experiences - from witnessing waiters sneeze in their food to spotting bugs in the soda fountain A number of furious diners have shared their most awful restaurant experiences - from witnessing waiters sneeze in their food to spotting bugs in the soda fountain Was eating at a Chinese restaurant where you order rice by the bowl From the angle I was sitting I saw the waiters taking half uneaten bowls of rice and dumping them back into the rice cooker a concerned customer wrote on Reddit Another fed-up diner confronted staff when he found a small fly in his fried egg It was all fried and crispy I wasn t even that bothered I m not a confrontational person I didn t even want a whole new meal I just wanted a new egg he explained The waitress came back from the kitchen and said that the chef was insisting it was a bit of "herb" that he uses in his cooking You could see the legs and wings They were so insistent that I could see it wasn t worth arguing Others found all kinds of things in their food - from glass to parts of a mix package baked into brownies Others found all kinds of things in their food - from glass to parts of a mix package baked into brownies One customer was horrified when she saw bug parts fall out of a soda fountain and into her cup when the nozzle came off I told a worker and they just screwed the nozzle back on when they thought I wasn t looking Who knows what else they weren t cleaning she wrote Another customer found a bunch of eaten chicken wing bones at the bottom of his appetiser basket Another customer found a bunch of eaten chicken wing bones at the bottom of his appetiser basket They just dropped a new piece of paper over them and filled it up with onion rings Pointed it out to the manager declined to get my app for free and walked out he said In another bizarre case a customer was told by an ice cream parlour staff member that they couldn t have sprinkles on their soft serve cone The guy at the counter told me he couldn t put sprinkles on the soft serve This made no sense to me so I asked him to do it anyway they recalled He still refused so I asked to see the manager The manager told me it was physically impossible to put sprinkles on soft serve ice cream I left and never came back 2017 02 02 04 01 Laura House www da yma co uk
Feb 2-3: Kronos Festival 2017 Ottessa Moshfegh Viet Thanh Nguyen Raggedy Ann and Andy Atrapados (Trapped) Lisa Wade Berlin and Beyond Film Festival
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Kronos Festival 2017: Contemporary classical ensemble Kronos Quartet opens a three-day series with a concert featuring Sahba Aminikia’s “Grandma’s House ” a piece inspired by nostalgia for 1980s Iranian children’s TV shows (performed by Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts students) as well as appearances by Iranian vocalist Mahsa Vahdat and the San Francisco Girls Chorus [7:30 p m SFJAZZ Center 201 Franklin St S F ] Ottessa Moshfegh: The author winner of the PEN Hemingway Prize for her debut novel “Eileen ” reads from “Homesick for Another World ” her O Henry Prize-winning story collection [7:30 p m Green Apple Books 1231 Ninth Ave S F ] Viet Thanh Nguyen: City Arts & Lectures presents the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Sympathizer ” who has a new short story collection “The Refugess ” [7:30 p m Nourse 275 Hayes St S F ] Raggedy Ann and Andy: The exhibit tells the history of the famed dolls with more than 60 examples adopted by Diane Simmons over the last 40 years on display [Noon to 4 p m Los Altos History Museum 51 S San Antonio Road Los Altos]
Atrapados (Trapped): The obscure psychedelic film about two trapped strangers who realize they may have inherited the earth as its sole survivors screens in a series called “Crack in the World: Cinema of Chaos and Transcendence ” [7:30 p m Yerba Buena Center for the Arts 701 Mission St S F ]
NightLife Lunar New Year: California Academy of Sciences’ after hours program celebrates the Year of the Rooster with a lion dance performance by San Francisco’s Jing Mo Athletic Association among the evening’s festivities [6 to 10 p m 55 Music Concourse Drive Golden Gate Park S F ] Lisa Wade: The writer talks about “American Hookup: The New Culture of Sex on Campus ” in conversation with Peggy Orenstein author of the bestselling “Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape ” [7 p m Books Inc 1491 Shattuck Ave Berkeley] Zainab Bahrani: The Columbia University professor of art history and archaeology discusses her new book “Art of Mesopotamia ” [6 p m Oshman Hall Mcmurtry Building 355 Roth Way Stanford University] Scrappin’ (Schrotten!): The debut feature by Oscar-nominated German filmmaker Max Zahle a comedy that explores the little-known world of scrap dealing opens the 21st Berlin and Beyond Film Festival with an appearance by the director; a party follows [8 p m Castro Theatre 429 Castro St S F ] Pablo Hidalgo: The LucasFilm Story Group executive shares his comprehensive 2016 volume “Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide ” [7 p m Books Inc Opera Plaza Van Ness Ave S F ]
Young adult fiction panel: In “No Longer Niche ” authors Kristin Elizabeth Clark {“Road-Trip to Infinity”) M G Hennessey (“The Other Boy”) Brie Spangler {“Beast”) and Tim Floreen (“Tattoo Atlas”) discuss the “evolution of queer lit into the mainstream ” [6 p m Book Passage 1 Ferry Building S F ] The Jean Genies: The David Bowie tribute band covers material spanning five decades of Bowie’s career; the opening act is Cruella an all-female Motley Crue tribute [9 p m Slim’s 333 11th St S F ] Cambrian Symphony: The group’s free concert “From Romantic to Surreal” includes Elgar’s Cello Concerto featuring soloist Adelle-Akiko Kearns as well as Debussy’s “Nocturnes” and Borodin’s “Polovtsian Dances ” [7:30 p m San Jose State University Concert Hall 1 Washington Square San Jose} Women & Queers Comedy Open Mic-Happy Hour Edition: Drag comedienne Debbie Devereaux hosts the free weekly session of standup [6 to 8 p m Club OMG 43 Sixth St S F ] Son Jarocho Festival: The musical weekend begins with an event honoring 2016 National Heritage Fellow Artemio Posadas who talks about son jarocho as a folkloric style and social movement with Chelis Lopez Gilberto Gutiérrez Martha Gonzalez and Quetzal Flores [6:30 p m (reception); 7:30 p m (panel) Brava 2781 24th St S F ] Train Driver’s Diary: Screening in SF Indiefest Serbia’s entry for Oscar consideration is a macabre comedy about a Serbian train driver who has accidentally infamously killed 28 people in the course of his job [7:15 p m Roxie 3117 16th St S F ] 2017 02 02 04 01 By www s exam ner com
Enforce suspension closure orders vs 26 largescale mines—group
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Following the announcement of Environment Secretary Gina Lopez ordering the closure of 21 largescale mining operations and suspension of five mines environmental group Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) called on relevant government agencies to enforce the orders
“We urge all relevant government agencies to immediately enforce the closure and suspension of all 26 mining companies as the affected communities have been clamouring to expedite this since the announcement of the mining audit’s initial results last September ” national coordinator of Kalikasan PNE Clemente Bautista said “This is a significant victory for the long-standing people’s struggles against destructive large-scale mining and a job well done for Sec Lopez ” Bautista said Lopez’s announcement was the pinnacle of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR’s) mining audit covering all 40 large-scale mines operating in the country The earlier suspension of 10 mines were upheld and 20 more mining firms were recommended for suspension in the initial result that was announced September last year
To fully rehabilitate the degraded watersheds agricultural lands and other ecosystems Bautista said Lopez should compel all erring mining companies to compensate and have the payment proceed to DENR’s plan to engage communities in an “area development approach” in restoring and redeveloping the mining sites that will be relinquished “All affected communities hosting these mines up for closure or suspension must remain vigilant as we expect resistance from the mining companies and the bureaucrats in their fold Sec Lopez should strengthen her cooperation with grassroots communities and social movements in working towards the closure of all these erring mines ” Bautista added RAM/rga 2017 02 02 04 01 Ed Margare h news n o nqu rer ne
Three Australian ads hit with complaints for 'bullying'
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Three popular television adverts have had complaints lodged against them by viewers because they encouraged bullying - but the association s governing body did not agree The complaints were lodged to the Advertising Standards Bureau for health insurance sunscreen and road safety ads however the complaints were all criticised for their ridiculousness He grills him about how he offers such cheap health insurance prices Though it may sound ridiculous considering the ads have meerkats as the employer to me the ad shows bullying and harassment and shows the employee becoming frightened the complainant wrote However the Advertising Standards Bureau saw it very differently because it was not common practice for employers to use lie detectors and/or truth serum on employees They also said that the employee in the advertisement does not appear to be distressed or upset by the meerkat s methods of questioning The advert for car insurance comparison site Comparethemarket com au had a meerkat giving an employee a cup of coffee with truth serum in it The meerkat then grills the employee about how he offers such cheap insurance prices In the Aldi sunscreen ad a talking loaf of bread tells a man he is pink as a little lamb cutlet The second ad shows a man with an obviously sunburnt face opening the boot of his car The loaf of bread talks to him telling him he should have used sunscreen The loaf of bread describes him as pink as a little lamb cutlet and refers to him as a shiny shiny lobster face Here the complainant felt that the final comment shiny shiny lobster face made to the man was condoning bullying and is not something that should be promoted Third ad tells people to not drink and drive In response the Board stated the unrealistic fantasy situation would not be seen as bullying rather as humorous While the point of the third advert was to differentiate between mates and a real mate with the message being that real mates don t let you drink drive The complainant believed that it was sexist as wouldn t it be OK for a man to drop a woman s keys down a drain to stop her from driving However the board disagreed saying: The advertisement does not depict promote or encourage bullying behaviour 2017 02 02 04 00 John Carney www da yma co uk
Convicting killers in Florida may soon get harder
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Now that might seem like a bad idea to most people It does to prosecutors and victims advocates It was an odd charge to level at Archer — a gun-toting conservative who owns AR-15s teaches "stand your ground" classes and said he too is an NRA member Archer said he wasn t anti-gun
just anti-murder And anti-assault And anti-bad-guys-getting-away-with-it
That s why Archer went to Tallahassee last week to oppose a bill that would essentially grant two chances to escape conviction to anyone who claims self-defense for a killing or assault — be they a gang member abusive spouse or legitimate claimant In this edition of Maxwell s Hate Mail Scott is called various names a reader questions the value of his column and one person not-so civily admonishes Scott to be civil to our new president DeVos wants school "reform" even as Florida reformers now push for repeals In 2016 only five states in America continued to execute people Florida was one of them And now the United State Supreme Court said that was wrong Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell previews his annual Thanksgiving column "101 Things We Love About Central Florida" John Mica suffered a stunning loss on Election Day while Mike Pence was a surprise winner as Donald Trump s vice president A regular trial would happen after that — but only if a judge didn t toss the case first
"No other state in this country" does this Archer told senators adding that if the law passes they should expect virtually every accused killer assaulter and batterer in Florida to start claiming self-defense "Why not? " he asked They take "no risk" and get two shots to get off Archer wasn t alone in his objections Other prosecutors objected along with victims advocates — including the mother of a boy killed by a man who claimed self-defense but was ultimately convicted under the existing standards One critic called it a "gang members protection" act Hammer argued the bill simply bolsters the concept of innocent-until-proven-guilty This week s Only-in-Florida headlines: •"Jupiter man accused of putting feces on HOA president s car" •"Florida man in SpongeBob outfit breaks into home stands over sleeping woman" •"Florida pastor caught with man s wife flees naked " Some folks find religion in the most unlikely ways 2017 02 02 04 00 sco maxwe www or andosen ne com
Eastern China housing collapse leaves 9 buried
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State media report nine people have been buried in the collapse of a group of homes in eastern China The Xinhua News Agency says four homes tumbled early Thursday in the city of Wenzhou in Zhejiang province just south of the commercial hub of Shanghai Xinhua says crews are working carefully because the collapsed homes were attached to buildings that had remained standing Calls to local police and rescue crews rang unanswered likely due to the week-long national holiday No immediate cause was given for the collapse and Xinhua says there have been no reports of extreme weather in recent days In October 22 people were killed in Wenzhou when a cluster of decrepit homes collapsed apparently because of poor construction and the building of additional levels on unstable foundations 2017 02 02 03 59 The Assoc a ed www char o eobserver com
Kim Kardashian and Chrissy Teigen to start a book club
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They re putting their celebrity influence to good use Kim Kardashian 36 and Chrissy Teigen 31 are starting a book club to promote reading to their fans So guys… @chrissyteigen & @jenatkinhair & I are starting a book club! Kim tweeted to her almost 50 million followers Best friends read together: Kim Kardashian and Chrissy Teigen are starting a book club to promote reading for their fans She s so passionate about her new idea the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star replied to comments from fans who were asking questions about the club But apparently this isn t a book club about the latest and greatest literary hits Kim tweeted out her first suggestion a book from 1992 that helped Kim get through her tough couple of months Hot nerd alert! The famous friends are encouraging their fans to hit the books Follow the leader: I m making them read Embraced By The Light as our first book Kim explained on Twitter Supportive friends: Chrissy is set to read the book Kim suggested as part of the club I m making them read Embraced By The Light as our first book she explained The famous friends are also partnering with their hairstylist pal Jen Atkins who ostensibly will also be suggesting books to read for the club Kim then started trying to recruit more celebrities to join and read the book she says changed her life Hey @lala join the book club with @chrissyteigen @jenatkinhair & I This book is a life changer she wrote Recruiting: The reality star then tried to ge other famous friends to join them in their new passion When fans started looking for details she responded directly in the comments sections saying: Everyone s invited!!!!… It s a story of a woman who died during surgery &came back 2 life She shares her journey of what heaven is like Its so good by @BettyJEadie Kim recently revealed she was enlightened after talking to favorite author Betty J Eadie The world-famous socialite who remains less than four months removed from being tied up and robbed at gunpoint in an October 3 heist in Paris was elated as she relayed her experience of talking with the New York Times bestselling author Soul searching: Kim said the book has helped her live her life in such a full way Huge plug: Writer Betty J Eadie s work was exposed to a huge audience with Kim s endorsement Today was such a good day! I spoke to my favorite author @BettyJEadie This seriously made my soul smile! I feel so enlightened by our convo! the Keeping up with the Kardashians star tweeted I ve read her book Embraced by the Light that is about her near death experience & it s helped me live my life in such a full way The longtime writer penned a 1992 tome called Embraced By The Light which focused on the author experiencing the most profound near-death experience ever Reading list: After Kim enjoyed Embraced By The Light she asked her followers for feedback on Eadie s 1996 tome The Awakening Heart Rave reviews: The reality star gave the author of Embraced by the Light a huge boost when she promoted the book on her social media page 2017 02 02 03 58 Da yma com www da yma co uk
Saint Ignatius holds on to beat St Francis stays in WCAL hunt
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Coming off a pair of lackluster performances St Ignatius needed to fix its offense to stay in second place and remain in the hunt for the WCAL title The Wildcats made those adjustments topping third-place St Francis 60-57 on Wednesday night Matt Redmond led all scorers with 23 points but it was Brandon Beckman whose 3-pointer with under a minute to play gave the host Wildcats a lead Logan Johnson’s layup cut the lead to one but Beckman was fouled with 16 2 seconds to go He made both free throws and Darrion Trammell’s defense prevented St Francis from getting an open look on the final possession It was fitting for Beckman to finish the game at the line: S I finished 10-for-12 at the charity stripe while St Francis made just three of nine attempts “Our gameplan is to get us all shots ” Beckman said “… We had looks for another guy whenever one got denied ” That strategy worked as Redmond led the team with 23 points Trammell added 12 and Robinson added eight The second half was a dogfight as neither team led by more than four points There were nine ties and seven lead changes in the game’s final 16 minutes The first half was a bit more free-flowing with St Ignatius leading 19-13 after a quarter thanks to a 15-5 run St Francis outscored the Wildcats 11-2 over the final three minutes of the second quarter to take a 32-29 halftime lead Jake Mihanovic scored all of his seven points and grabbed ten of his team-high 11 rebounds in the first half for the visiting Lancers Logan Johnson scored 14 of St Francis’ 19 second-quarter points If there’s an area where the Wildcats still need to improve it’s rebounding St Francis (15-4 6-3) had a 38-31 advantage on the glass including 19-9 on the offensive boards The Lancers went into halftime with a 32-29 lead thanks to a 25-13 rebounding advantage including nine offensive rebounds to just one for St Ignatius Johnson whose older brother Tyler plays for the Miami Heat finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds The win keeps St Ignatius just a game behind Bellarmine who improved to 8-0 in the WCAL and 18-1 on the season with a 61-50 overtime win over Sacred Heart Cathedral (8-11 1-8) St Ignatius will host Sacred Heart Cathedral on Saturday and Bellarmine will travel to St Francis “Getting the ball moving in general for all of us ” coach Rob Marcaletti said “We had to get our flow back; we had lost that along the way That was our huge point of emphasis tonight pushing the tempo and getting into the flow of what we wanted to do offensively ” 2017 02 02 03 56 By www s exam ner com
Brendan Rodgers reveals ploy to keep Moussa Dembele
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Brendan Rodgers joked about an unorthodox approach to keeping his star striker Moussa Dembele at Celtic on transfer deadline day The Hoops boss quipped that when Dembele visited London for a scan on his knee the physio should not let him out of his sight Dembele had been linked with a potential move to Premier League leaders Chelsea for a fee in excess of £30million and his medical appointment happened to be in the area Moussa Dembele had been linked with a move to Chelsea but remained a Celtic player The French striker was accompanied by a club physio on his trip to London on deadline day Having taken a flight down to London to see a specialist rumours of a potential switch intensified but the dynamic forward remained a Celtic player Rodgers told STV : We had to make sure the physio didn t lose sight of him down there Ironically the hospital he was in was in Chelsea believe it or not So I said to Tim (Williamson) be like Franco Baresi and just stay tight to him But he was happy to come back He is loving it here He got some fluid out of his knee he has had a good reaction to it so we will see how he is for the weekend Brendan Rodgers joked he had instructed his physio to stay tight to Dembele on the trip Dembele has caught the eye of many teams this season with his impressive performances Rodgers was determined to hold onto his prized asset who cost Celtic just £500 000 last summer The France Under-21 international has caught the eye since his move north of the border with stellar displays in the Champions League in particular Though Rodgers joked about his ploy to keep Dembele on board he will surely be delighted to have retained the services of Celtic s lethal frontman Celtic s star man was visiting a hospital in Chelsea to remove fluid from his knee 2017 02 02 03 55 W
Gr ee www da yma co uk
Constabulary revival to result in more rights abuses—Karapatan
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Human rights group Karapatan on Thursday denounced proposals for the revival of the Philippine Constabulary (PC) saying it will only result in more human rights violations Malacañang earlier revealed that President Rodrigo Duterte has been “floating” the idea of reviving the PC which was integrated with the military and was eventually abolished during the term of former President Corazon Aquino Duterte supposedly wanted to supplement the Philippine National Police (PNP) by reactivating the PC READ: Philippine Constabulary revival eyed for war on drugs Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said the other option of including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the administration’s war on drugs won’t benefit the communities READ: Palace asked to put order for AFP to help in drug war on paper “The thousands of suspected drug users and pushers and innocent citizens even minors killed in the course of the implementation of the campaign against illegal drugs are enough proof ” she said Palabay said the AFP like the PNP also has records of corruption and abuse “Those currently at the helm of the military institution are living proof ” she said “General Esperon as AFP Chief of Staff and Philippine Army Commanding General during the Macapagal Arroyo administration and current AFP Chief Eduardo Año who aided and supported Maj Gen Jovito Palparan Jr during the same period are responsible for 1 206 activists and civilians who were killed and the 206 disappeared persons ” Palabay blamed the PC for the “warrantless arrests of known revolutionaries branded as bandits like Macario Sakay and Julian Montalan ” “The Constabulary also led in the suppression of peasant uprisings and civil disobedience demonstrations of workers and peasants during that period ” she pointed out Palabay said the police cannot be reformed through “superficial cleansing ” She said what should be changed are state policies and declarations such as the war against drugs and the counter-insurgency campaign that target the poor JE/rga 2017 02 02 03 53 Kr s ne Ange news n o nqu rer ne
Faced with legal hurdles watchdog did not question Bank of East Asia head during Donald Tsang probe
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Bank of East Asia chairman David Li Kwok-po was not interviewed during Donald Tsang Yam-kuen’s corruption investigation – despite allegations that he gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to the former chief executive – because the city’s graft-buster did not expect Li to cooperate the High Court heard on Thursday The Independent Commission Against Corruption’s investigation on Tsang also ran into many hurdles when interviewing BEA staff including a five-month delay before officers were able to speak to employees an ICAC director testified Li withdrew HK$350 000 in cash from his BEA account at the bank’s headquarters in Central at 9 20am on July 16 2010 the court heard earlier Thirty-five minutes later Tsang’s wife Selina Tsang Pou Siumei deposited the same amount of cash into her joint account with Tsang at the same branch The prosecutors have alleged that the sum Selina Tsang deposited would have come from Li by way of “pure common sense and ordinary inference” The HK$350 000 went on to form a larger sum of 800 000 yuan (HK$901 816) paid in late 2010 to companies controlled by Bill Wong Cho-bau the businessman at the centre of Tsang’s trial Wong’s other firms owned a Shenzhen penthouse Tsang claimed he had rented and planned to stay in after he retired in 2012 It is alleged that between 2010 and 2012 Tsang 72 failed to disclose to the Executive Council which he then chaired his negotiations with Wong over the penthouse The council was at the time considering and eventually granted an application for a digital broadcasting licence by radio station Wave Media of which Wong was the major shareholder Testifying on Thursday ICAC director of investigation Ricky Yu Chun-cheong recalled considering whether to interview Li during their investigation between 2012 and 2013 Yu said ICAC staff had to work with various legal representatives and departments either from or hired by BEA for five months before they were able to speak to the bank’s employees “According to our past experience we believed that Mr Li would not collaborate with us to provide information ” he added Yu said this meant that ICAC officers might have to invite Li for a formal interview – under caution – which involved advising him on his rights After taking all factors into account the director said the officers decided not to interview Li Yu also recounted all the legal measures imposed by the BEA that they had to overcome “During the whole course for the [taking of the] statements the BEA legal representatives and legal department had to read or view the statements before the staff were allowed to sign on them ” he said Two staff members the rank and title of which he did not specify were required to be accompanied by legal representatives when giving statements he said “We had to go through a lot of hurdles ” Yu added saying that those two particular witnesses even had their statements amended by legal representatives His testimony marked the end of the prosecution case which lasted 16 days after the jury was empanelled Mr Justice Andrew Chan Hing-wai told the nine-member jury to return on Tuesday 2017 02 02 03 45 Chr s Lau www scmp com
Palace: Korean’s slay a unique situation that merits attention
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The grisly slay of a South Korean businessman inside Camp Crame by anti-drug police was a “unique situation” that merits attention Malacañang said Thursday The abduction-slay of the Jee Ick-joo led to the suspension of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) anti-drug war known as “Oplan Tokhang” amid the “cleansing” within the police force “The unique situation regarding that (South Korean’s) death merits attention ” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a Palace briefing Asked why the death of around 7 000 suspected drug offenders did not merit the suspension of Oplan Tokhang Abella said: “They did not happen within the camp right?” PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Monday ordered the suspension of Oplan Tokhang following Duterte’s order for the cleansing of the police force Duterte has ordered the abolition of the PNP’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Group and all anti-drug units following the controversial abduction-killing of Jee in the guise of a drug operation RAM/rga 2017 02 02 03 44 Nes or Corra es news n o nqu rer ne
Duterte to allow military role in Philippine drug war calls it national security threat
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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday he intended to write an executive order that would allow the military to help in his fight against illicit drugs which he said was a national security threat Duterte reiterated he had no need to declare martial law as he has threatened to do on numerous occasions Duterte’s police chief instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday to suspend their anti-drugs operations after the killing of a South Korean businessman by rogue drug-squad police Duterte is infuriated and embarrassed by the incident which he said had “international implications” Duterte’s suggestion that the military should fill the void left by police marks a stunning change of tack by the former city mayor who had steadfastly supported the police amid allegations from human rights groups and some lawmakers of widespread abuses of power The Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency a body a fraction of the size of the PNP takes over the lead in fighting drugs It is not immediately clear what role the military might play in the anti-drugs campaign The rights group Amnesty International said in a report on Wednesday police prosecuting the war on drugs had behaved like the criminal underworld they are supposed to be suppressing taking payments for killings and delivering bodies to funeral homes It said the wave of drugs-related killings as part of Duterte’s campaign appeared to be “systematic planned and organised” by authorities and could constitute crimes against humanity More than 7 600 people have been killed since Duterte launched his war on drugs more than 2 500 in police operations with many of the remaining deaths attributed to vigilantes and turf wars 2017 02 02 03 43 Reu ers Reu ers www scmp com
Hong Kong just had its warmest January on record
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The first month of this year was the warmest January in Hong Kong since records began in 1885 according to the Observatory Locals experienced a record-breaking average temperature of 18 5 degrees Celsius – 2 2 degrees warmer than the normal monthly average of 16 3 degrees the Observatory said on Thursday Li Kin-wai chief experimental officer at the Observatory said it was the hottest January since records began The unseasonably hot weather was down to no substantial cold surge affecting the Guangdong coast he said The second-warmest January was in 1901 when temperatures averaged 18 3 degrees – much warmer than last year’s 16 degrees Last month’s average daily minimum temperature was also warmer than usual at 17 degrees 2 5 degrees higher than the average daily low in January And the month was drier than usual with only 7 8mm of total rainfall less than a third of the normal 24 7mm The record-breaking January follows a relatively toasty December which was the thirdwarmest in more than 130 years The hottest day of the month was January 6 when sunny skies saw temperatures hit 25 5 degrees January also saw more sunlight than usual with 145 1 bright sunshine hours 2 1 hours more than the average for January Northerly winds brought the city dry and cool weather towards the end of the month bringing the temperature down to 13 6 degrees on January 22 the month’s coldest day There was only one tropical cyclone over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific last month 2017 02 02 03 41 Ju a Ho ngswor h www scmp com
How drugs are used to woo voters in India’s Punjab
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Opium addict Rajendar usually has to beg steal or borrow to get his fix but at election season in India’s Punjab province a packet is delivered to his home in a bid to win his vote “Like all addicts I love elections and wish we had them every month ” the 38year-old says with a twinkle in his eye “It’s the easiest time to get hold of what you need and everyone gets what they want Normally we have to go out and find a dealer but at election time it gets delivered to your home for free ” Rajendar a farm labourer who is married with two children is one of tens of thousands of addicts in Punjab who have earned the northern state an unwelcome reputation as India’s drugs capital While inducing voters with household appliances alcohol or cash is widespread in some parts electoral officials say candidates in Punjab try to woo addicts with free drugs Punjab is one of five states holding elections in the next few weeks with the first round beginning on February 4 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi have addressed rallies in major towns and cities across the state trying to sway voters with their oratory But as a former chief election commissioner explained the appeal to voters in rural villages is often at a baser level “In 2012 when we conducted the Punjab state elections we suspected the use of drugs during polls and found drugs were in fact a very serious issue ” SY Quraishi chief commissioner from 2010-12 said “In one month alone we recovered around 55kg of heroin around 430kg of poppy husk [the raw ingredient of opium] and found almost every psychotropic substance in circulation ” The results of a government-commissioned survey in 2015 estimated there could be as many as 320 000 “opioid dependent individuals” in the state which has a population of 27 million Heroin was the most commonly-used drug followed by opium which is legally grown in parts of India under government licence for medical use In the four weeks since the date of this year’s polls was announced at the beginning of January the commission says more than 2 63 tonnes of drugs including heroin and opium have been seized That compares with a figure of 2 03 tonnes in Uttar Pradesh which has a population of around 205 million and is also holding state elections Drugs have become a hot button election issue with opposition parties blaming the current state administration – an ally of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party – of looking the other way at the crisis Candidates promise new laws or heavier sentences for drug offences their tough-talking pledges warmly cheered at rallies But Romesh Mahajan project director of a addiction rehabilitation centre says campaigners for parties or independent candidates prey on villages by offering them the same drugs they pledge to eradicate Mahajan said the problem was particularly acute in the period before the date was set for the polls which is when the commission’s monitors start trying to enforce a code of conduct with flying visits Some voters particularly women are identified as wanting money and are subsequently handed cash Others however are identified as wanting their various addictions fed “There are people who want alcohol and then there are people who want opium or heroin or pills ” Mahajan said at his centre in Gurdaspur district Rajendar who attends Mahajan’s clinic but asked that his surname not be used said addicts were more than happy to promise their vote to a particular candidate regardless of policies “You never care about who’s going to win As long as they give you your fix you promise to vote for them You make the same promise to whoever comes along ” said Rajender who is trying to wean himself off opium “We know that after the elections we won’t see them again so you have to enjoy it while it lasts ” Another addict called Indarjeet who is trying to kick a heroin habit said it was “very common” to be offered drugs in return for backing a candidate “When they get to the village they say ‘take whatever you want as long as you vote for our guy’ and then they send someone back later” with drugs or alcohol he said “When you’re offered something for free then of course you’ll take it You don’t care about the election only about feeding your habit ” Police are carrying out spot checks on vehicles at election time to make sure they are not loaded with freebies including cash alcohol and drugs “We are committed to controlling this menace in this area and our officers are working tirelessly ” M F Farooqui an inspector general of Punjab police said 2017 02 02 03 40 Agence France www scmp com
48 years in jail for Limpopo cop killer
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Polokwane - An armed robber who killed an officer during a confrontation with police in 2016 has been sentenced to 48 years in jail Limpopo police said Aretse Nkabang Moraba 33 was found guilty of murder armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane on Wednesday Moraba shot and killed Constable Kekana Pule Edward in April last year “The deceased member was with other police officials tracing the accused for armed robberies when the accused opened fire from inside [a] house [in] Ga-Mogashoa ” police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said Edward was shot in the throat and died on the way to hospital Mojapelo said police welcomed the sentence and hoped it would deter criminals 2017 02 02 03 38 www news24 com
Merkel to meet Erdogan in Turkish capital amid tense ties
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other Turkish officials for talks focusing on a troubled European Union deal with Turkey to stem the flow of migrants Both leaders will also discuss a Turkish request for the extradition of around 40 soldiers allegedly involved in Turkey s failed coup who are seeking asylum in Germany Merkel s visit to Ankara on Thursday comes as ties between Turkey and Germany are strained Turkey frequently accuses Germany of not backing its fight against outlawed Kurdish rebels and is pressing Germany to reject the soldier s asylum requests In Germany Merkel is under pressure to speak out against curbs on rights and freedoms in Turkey Turkey has threatened to scrap the refugee deal over EU demands that it soften its anti-terrorism laws 2017 02 02 03 36 The Assoc a ed www henews r bune com
Where Is Melania Trump? Will the First Lady Move to the White House?
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When President Donald Trump went to Dover Air Force base to show his respects as the body of a slain Navy SEAL returned to America his daughter – not his wife – was at his side People noticed that the FLOTUS the First Lady of the United States was missing Melania Trump wasn’t present either when Trump announced his choice for U S Supreme Court Neil Gorsuch although other family members were there and Gorsuch’s wife stood in prominent attendance In fact as of February 2 Melania hadn’t made an official public appearance as First Lady since the January 20 inauguration although she was photographed walking down a New York street What gives? Will the First Lady ever move to the White House? Why is she MIA? Are the Trumps leading separate lives? Here’s what you need to know: Donald Trump said previously that the First Lady and their young son Barron would stay in New York City until Barron was done with the school year so as not to disrupt his life According to The Daily Beast when Melania returned to New York City two days after the inauguration she became “the first lady to live separately from the White House since 1853 ”
Then the plan was Melania and Barron would move to the White House to live with Trump in June going there on the weekends for now However CNN reported Melania made her last official appearance at the prayer service in Washington D C the morning after the inauguration The next day “which coincided with the couple’s 12th wedding anniversary Melania Trump returned to New York City Barron in tow ” CNN reported Melania of course was a fixture at the inaugural balls and inauguration itself being widely praised for her fashion sense
However now some unconfirmed reports say that FLOTUS might stay in New York for good US Magazine reported that Melania and Barron might never follow Trump to the White House at all The only time Melania has been spotted since the inauguration? The photo below is of her running errands with Barron on Park Avenue in New York
US Weekly quoted an anonymous “family insider” as saying “They will reevaluate toward the end of the school year if they will keep this arrangement or if Melania and Barron will move to Washington They could go either way right now They will ultimately do what’s best for Barron ”
However a spokesperson for Melania told CNN that report was false saying “Mrs Trump will be moving to DC and settling in to the White House at the end of the school year splitting her time between New York and DC in the meantime ” and adding that Melania takes the FLOTUS position seriously and “is honored to serve this country ” Barron Trump has been subjected to ridicule in the public eye such as when an SNL writer was suspended after joking that the 10-year-old might be a homeschool shooter
CBS New York reported that the mayor’s office and New York Police Department are “reevaluating” the costs of security after published reports that the First Lady and Barron might stay in New York According to the television station it costs $500 000 a day to protect the president when he is in New York and less when he’s not but security costs to protect Melania and Barron don’t come cheap The New York Daily News said security costs rose as high as $1 million a day to protect the president and his family when he they were all living in New York after the election Despite saying she has no interest in playing the role of First Lady it was the president’s oldest daughter Ivanka who walked at his side when the body of Navy SEAL William “Ryan” Owens was arriving at Dover Air Force base on February 1 Owens’ death was the first combat death in a mission authorized by Trump The SEAL died in a firefight with Al-Qaeda terrorists in Yemen That’s about as serious and important of an issue as it gets yet the First Lady did not accompany her husband to Dover Melania hasn’t tweeted from her private account since election day Her official FLOTUS account? The last tweet was on January 21 The Daily Beast has dubbed her an “absent First Lady ” According to CNN a spokesperson for the First Lady had said after the inauguration that she would be “splitting” her time between DC and New York but that hasn’t happened Melania i s supposed to appear on the February issue of Vanity Fair Magazine but it’s an old photo She hasn’t given any interviews and she’s been silent since the inauguration on what cause she will embrace as FLOTUS although she said during the campaign she wanted to fight against cyber bullying William "Ryan" Owens a Navy SEAL with the elite SEAL Team 6 was the first combat death under President Donald Trump He died in an Al-Qaeda firefight in Yemen The Trumps had said that until June Melania and Barron would come down to the White House on the weekends while remaining in the Trumps’ New York City penthouse during weekdays However Trump’s first weekend in the White House came and went sans Melania The reason given: The protests in Washington D C over the president’s immigration ban a ccording to the New York Daily News Of course there were protests over the immigration ban in New York too Donald Trump was rocked by a series of allegations during the presidential campaign that he groped women during his marriage to Melania He strongly denied the accusations and Melania adamantly defended her husband in a television interview saying she didn’t believe the women Melania is expected at the Trump’s Palm Beach estate on Saturday February 4 for the International Red Cross charity ball Melania Trump has started to make some key hires for the First Lady’s office However there are still key positions that remain unfilled CNN reported that the First Lady made her first hire on February 2 choosing Lindsay Reynolds as her chief of staff According to the network Reynolds “previously served in the George W Bush White House and brings more than 14 years of political fundraising event management and logistical expertise to the position ” The Daily Beast reported that the First Lady has yet to hire a press secretary and communications director In contrast the news site reported Michelle Obama “had a press secretary on the campaign and appointed a social secretary by November after her husband was elected ” However Melania has hired a New York event planner Stephanie Winston Wolkoff to be a senior adviser reported The Washington Post However a source told US Magazine that Melania was actively hiring staff adding: “While she is a mom first she is very much embracing the role and responsibilities of first lady ” CNN reported that 20-30 positions remain unfilled Is Trump upset by Melania’s absence? If he is he isn’t showing it He told David Muir in an interview that he didn’t mind being alone because he ends up working more “No because I end up working longer And that’s OK ” Trump said according to The Hill
It would not be unheard of for a presidential couple to divorce while in office at least in a global sense; it happened in France to Nicolas Sarkozy However Melania’s dances with the president recent hires and her loving interview defending him during the campaign would seem to put to rest any such rumors There were multiple moments of affection between POTUS and FLOTUS at the inauguration too: President Donald Trump and his wife Melania were affectionate during the Inauguration See photos of the president and First Lady kissing at inaugural events 2017 02 02 03 31 Jess ca McBr de heavy com
Don’t be guilty of paper crime!
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Are you in a habit of keeping those paper utility bills just in case a dispute happens? Does your drawer contain folders of manuals receipts handouts newsletters etc for reference later on? Do you sometimes forget to pay your bills because your monthly statement was late or worse did not arrive? How many magazines and newspapers are stacked on your desk waiting for you to read them? Do you constantly print or photocopy materials when you can easily view them from your computer? If you are like a lot of people chances are you are guilty of paper crime which not only causes clutter in your home or workplace but also inflict damage to the environment When mature trees are cut to produce paper we also take the risk of inhaling unhealthy air or reducing our water supply Trees filter out pollution protect sources of fresh water and fill the earth with oxygen On the other side when factories process paper they also produce pollutants Here are five ways to help you reduce clutter and eliminate those paper mess protect the environment and also save time (you seriously don’t want to go through mounds of paper just to find a single document or do you?)
If you can’t throw away documents or receipts try scanning them or taking a picture with your digital camera or smartphone You can then save them in organized digital folders on your mobile phone personal computer or hard drive Have a backup in the cloud too for added security and safety Evaluate your subscriptions If magazines and newspapers are only gathering dust on your table perhaps you better switch to their digital version and read them on the go Think twice before hitting the print button Keep printing and copying to a minimum and only when absolutely necessary We often accumulate lots of paper bags when we go shopping or when buying food for takeout and those add up to incoming paper which end up in the trash An ecobag could be the answer to this concern so bring one whenever you leave the house
Instead of waiting for your monthly bill to reach your mailbox why not sign up to electronic billing You can easily view them anytime and anywhere via email and you won’t be complaining of late bills anymore Globe Telecom for instance advocates paperless billing as part of its sustainability practice Postpaid customers who want to join the campaign may text PAPERLESS account number e-mail address to 26826 dial *143# on their mobile phones and follow the instructions visit the GoGreen page at https://www globe com ph/gogreen or Globe MyAccount drop by at any Globe Store or call the Customer Service Hotline (211 toll free from their mobile phone or 02-7301000 from any landline) More details at www globe com ph/postpaid/paperlessbilling 2017 02 02 03 30 NQU RER ne echno ogy nqu rer ne
Wednesday's Sports in Brief
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NATIONAL SIGNING DAY Alabama came up just short in its bid for a second straight national title on the field but the Crimson Tide s dominance on the recruiting trail remains as strong as ever According to composite rankings of recruiting services compiled by 247Sports Alabama finished atop the team standings for a seventh consecutive year And this might have been Nick Saban s best class yet Florida s 2010 class that included NFL first-round draft picks Dominique Easley Matt Elam and Sharrif Floyd is 247Sports only higher-rated class since 2002 which is as far back as 247Sports data goes Alabama s class includes seven of the top 34 players in the 247Sports Composite: running back Najee Harris offensive tackles Alex Leatherwood and Jedrick Willis outside linebacker Dylan Moses wide receiver Jerry Jeudy defensive end LaBryan Ray and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa Rivals and Scout rated Harris as the nation s No 1 overall prospect Ohio State and Southern California also had reason to celebrate Barton Simmons director of scouting for 247Sports said the average 247Sports Composite rating of Ohio State s signees is the highest of any class since 2002 Alabama finished higher in the team standings largely because it signed more players than Ohio State
Southern California surged into the top five in the team standings with a fabulous finish Linebacker Levi Jones defensive tackle Jay Tufele wide receiver Joseph Lewis and offensive tackle Austin Jackson made Signing Day decisions to join USC s class All three are top-100 prospects in the 247Sports Composite BAYLOR SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATION WACO Texas (AP) — Former Baylor football coach Art Briles has dropped the defamation lawsuit filed against four university officials he accused of making false statements against him according to attorneys in the case Briles in December sued the three regents and a university vice president for libel and slander claiming they falsely stated that he knew of reported assaults and alleged gang rapes by players and didn t report them Rusty Hardin an attorney for the regents told the Waco Tribune-Herald that the suit was dropped The lawsuit that was filed in Llano County also asserted that Baylor officials conspired to damage Briles reputation and keep him from getting another coaching job It sought damages for emotional distress and likely ending his career as a coach "on any level " WACO Texas (AP) — The former director of football operations at Baylor University has filed a lawsuit arguing he was unfairly named as contributing to the school s mishandling of student sexual assault complaints
Colin Shillinglaw s lawsuit in district court in Dallas County names the school interim President David Garland and others as defendants In the lawsuit filed Tuesday Shillinglaw contends Baylor leaders and others were defamatory in unfairly blaming him when it was the university s public safety officials who were responsible for handling assault complaints Shillinglaw who was fired last year is seeking a jury trial and damages A Baylor spokesman said the lawsuit is without merit PRO FOOTBALL HOUSTON (AP) — Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue is apologizing for remarks he made decades ago about concussions in football
In an interview with the Talk of Fame Network Tagliabue admitted he erred in 1994 in saying concussions were "one of those pack-journalism issues " He also claimed then that the number of concussions "is relatively small; the problem is the journalist issue " Up for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday Tagliabue spoke out Wednesday about a major blemish on a record highlighted by labor peace throughout his 17-year tenure HOUSTON (AP) — Tom Brady hopes his mother will be in the stands on Super Bowl Sunday despite dealing with an undisclosed health issue The New England Patriots quarterback acknowledged that his mother Galynn Brady has been ill He didn t provide any details "It s personal with my family and I m just hoping everyone s here on Sunday to share in a great experience But it has been a tough year Every family goes through different things and you know my family has always been a great support system for me and hopefully we can make everyone happy on Sunday " Brady got choked up talking about his father during media night on Monday and he said Tuesday that his mother had not been able to attend any games this season On Wednesday he confirmed that his mother has been ill TRUMP IMMIGRATION BAN
DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban questioned the effectiveness of President Donald Trump s executive order restricting immigration from seven countries citing the "hypocrisy" of limiting immigration from some countries while not including others
"I understand safety " Cuban said "We all want to be safer No one wants to be unsafe But the hypocrisy of it all — only seven countries Now if it had been all terrorist-hosting countries but seven countries? That s like locking your door with the best security ever invented and leaving all your windows open It just makes no sense " Cuban spoke of the struggles of his grandparents coming to America to escape persecution in Nazi-occupied Austria and in Stalinist Russia and the challenges they faced as immigrants here PRO FOOTBALL TEMPE Ariz (AP) — Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has confirmed he will be back to play a 14th NFL season In a text to azcardinals com s Darren Urban Fitzgerald confirmed a report that he had told ESPN s Jim Trotter that he would play another season "Truthful Trotter " Fitzgerald wrote Speaking at the PGA s Waste Management Open Pro-Am on Tuesday Fitzgerald said he felt much better physically and had pretty much made up his mind on whether he would return but wasn t ready to make it public The Cardinals still have not heard definitive word from quarterback Carson Palmer as to whether he will return At 33 Fitzgerald led the NFL in receptions last season with 107 2017 02 02 03 26 The Assoc a ed www char o eobserver com
As California drought eases thanks to storms
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Roaring storms that brought California almost a year s worth of snow and rain in a single month should make state water managers Sierra snowpack survey Thursday a celebration marking this winter s dramatic retreat of the state s more than 5-year-drought water experts say
Typically snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains during winter storms provide a third of the state s water through the year as the drifts melt In January back-to-back-to-back storms from the tropics that each dropped a hurricane s worth of water on the state have put the state at 108 percent of its normal rain and snow for the year with two months still left in the rainy season said Michael Dettinger a hydrologist for the U S Geological Survey California had received just one-fourth of a normal year s precipitation when January started he said The storm systems known as atmospheric rivers "caught us all off guard how many came in so quickly and turned everything around " Dettinger said January s storms lifted the northern half of the state out of drought This time last year 95 percent of California was in drought after the driest three-year stretch in the state s history
In April of 2014 Gov Jerry Brown stood in a Sierra meadow bare of its usual snow to declare a drought emergency in California and ordered mandatory water conservation in cities and towns Surveyors with the state Department of Water Resources will return to the meadows Thursday with rods to measure the depth of the snowpack so far this winter State water officials who lifted the statewide conservation mandate as the drought eased say Brown s administration likely will wait for a final seasonal snow survey in April before deciding whether to officially end the state drought emergency 2017 02 02 03 26 By ELLEN www hera don ne com
Caroline Flack shows ex what he's missing in slinky outfit
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As news of the new romance broke last year a source told The Sun : Caroline is so happy with Blue They ve been enjoying each other s company and she s very proud of his work as an illustrator not to mention how handsome she finds him Blue has completely won over her friends They all approve And the former X Factor presenter - who met Blue through mutual friends - wasn t about flaunting their relationship on social media Appearing to make her romance official for the first time she shared a snap with her arm around him as he nestled into her writing: You ll do @blue logan In another she shared a picture of Blue at London s Delilah restaurant holding up one of his illustrations tagging her beau with the caption: Proud of this one yes The bubbly beauty recently confessed on Glamour magazine s Hey It s OK podcast that it s been so long since she has been in love that she s forgotten what it feels like I haven t been in love for so long that I’ve forgotten what it feels like to want to tell everyone "Look how happy I am " she explained While discussing extravagant proposals Caroline admitted she preferred keeping her relationships private from the public eye The Enfield native said: It s a bigger thing to not tell anyone I m personally not a social media love-displayer Caroline has a colourful dating history having been linked to the likes of Prince Harry and coming under fire in 2011 for dating Harry Styles when he was 17 and she was 32 The erstwhile Strictly Come Dancing champ was last left heartbroken at the end of 2014 when her boyfriend Jack Street who she had dated for 18 months allegedly got too close to Glee actress Dianna Agron A source said at the time: It was hard for her to find out about Dianna - especially as Jack was the man she thought she was going to marry The pair got back together in the summer of 2015 before breaking up for good shortly after 2017 02 02 03 21 Marc Jackson www da yma co uk
Grenades thrown at police on China-Myanmar border during bust of drug trafficking operation
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A drug gang near the China-Myanmar border threw grenades and fire shots at law enforcement officers during a major anti-trafficking operation on Lunar New Year A gunfight broke out when a vehicle believed to be ferrying drugs was stopped near the border between Myanmar and China in Yunnan province by police on the morning of January 28 Xinhua reported Yunnan police reported that the people in the vehicle resisted arrest and attempted to drive away then started shooting and tossing grenades at the police officers One suspect was killed by police at the scene and another seriously injured The injured suspect later died at a hospital Two officers were also wounded and were quickly transferred to a nearby hospital for surgery The health condition of both has stabilised The police reported that they seized a total of 330kg of drugs during the operation including heroin methamphetamine and opium A handgun and 10 bullets were also confiscated Social media users praised the police for their actions One Weibo user wrote “If 300 kilograms of drugs flooded into our country how many people’s lives would have been ruined Thank you police!” 2017 02 02 03 21 Josh Ye www scmp com
Nixon's 'Western White House' estate can be yours for $63M
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A grand home owned by President Richard Nixon and dubbed the Western White House can now be yours for $63 5million The 5 45-acre estate in San Clemente California was bought by the former Commander in Chief in 1969 six months into his presidency Nixon entertained 17 heads of state at the home which was built in 1926 and overlooks the Pacific Ocean Among his guests were Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger Scroll down for video 2017 02 02 03 21 Da yma com www da yma co uk
What the murder of a Suu Kyi ally means for Myanmar’s imperilled Muslims
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The plight of millions of Muslims throughout Myanmar not only those suffering the worst human-rights abuses in Rakhine State may never have been greater than after the murder on Sunday of a prominent pro-democracy lawyer at Yangon International Airport On January 29 U Ko Ni a respected 65-year-old legal adviser of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party was shot dead after returning from a fact-finding trip to Indonesia A long-time activist former detainee and constitutional specialist Ko Ni was instrumental in crafting Aung San Suu Kyi’s current position as state counsellor and de facto leader of Myanmar He had also been a staunch advocate for overhauling Myanmar’s much-derided 2008 Constitution – setting himself against more conservative forces especially the military As thousands attended his funeral in the North Okkalapa Township observers pondered whether the contract-style killing by a lone gunman was inspired by his work with NLD or because of his Muslim identity Certainly the killing could not have come at a worse time for Myanmar The treatment of the Rohingya people in Rakhine State is drawing global condemnation This unprecedented assassination could destroy what little intra-religious trust remains between the Buddhist majority and Muslim minority increasingly one of Southeast Asia’s most intractable religious fault lines
U Tin Win a 71-year-old driver still speaks with great pride about his home country even though he has been a witness to Myanmar’s growing divisiveness for decades He was born in Mandalay but has long been settled in Yangon with his wife his eight children and 18 grandchildren His Indian-Muslim father worked on the railways and his Burmese mother died when he was still an infant Tin Win (his Muslim name is Mohamad Esa) grew up speaking only Burmese and was desperately unhappy when he was briefly enrolled in an English-language school He grew up fascinated with lorries – driving them became his livelihood after serving four years in the army as a radio-operator in Chin State As he tells it his grandmother showed up at his base driving a lorry to take him back home “Back then joining up and leaving the army was much more straightforward ” he said with a smile He relished the freedom of being on the road and criss-crossed the country for 35 years visiting every state in the union save Kachin to the far north Adventures were not scarce: “After [Prime Minister] Ne Win took over in 1962 things became much more difficult for everyone I remember this one time when I had to cross the border into Imphal [India] on foot I had onions potatoes and garlic which I exchanged for clothes and spices Returning was a headache There were lots of checkpoints and bribes to be paid I vowed never to do it again ”
Leaning over a large map spread out before him he pointed out the various towns and provinces he had driven through over the years reciting their names one by one: Monywa Sittwe Dawei Mawlmyine Lashio and Taunggyi Tin Win spoke with intense pride about his country: “There have been Muslims in Burma for centuries We served the kings and we were accepted as citizens ” But there is also a deep sadness about him as the realities of present-day Myanmar come screeching back into plain sight “I feel so sorry for the Rohingya
but there are some differences between us While many speak Burmese others can’t Some have also definitely come from Bangladesh ”
Even the size of the Muslim Burmese community is hotly disputed Government sources state that they make up no more than four per cent of the population while independent non-governmental organisations have claimed this figure is closer to 12 per cent Discrimination is now institutionalised and Muslims have found dealing with the government much more difficult Tin Win for instance has run into difficulties securing identity cards for his many grandchildren Without a card it’s almost impossible to open a bank account secure travel documents or buy property Yet his opinion of “The Lady” – Suu Kyi – remains undaunted “I am a supporter ” he said This may surprise her many detractors around the globe But perhaps it is understandable given the community’s vulnerability not to mention the fundamental weaknesses of the NLD government in its dealings with the military For Tin Win the possibility that his beloved country may turn on him and indeed his family is too horrible and depressing to comprehend For his sake and the country’s Myanmar’s dangerous descent into sectarianism must be arrested The death of Ko Ni something Tin Win insisted was political and not religiously motivated is a tragedy However it is important that the broader lessons from Indonesia – the need for political reform cultural diversity civilian control over the military and decentralisation – are not lost on Myanmar’s leaders
At the same time it’s imperative that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations acknowledges the scale of the challenges facing Myanmar with its fledgling democracy and impoverished people While the bloodshed in Rakhine must be curbed efforts must also be made to protect the millions of Muslims living across Myanmar They could well become hostages to the Rohingya issue if cooler heads do not prevail 2017 02 02 03 20 Kar m Ras an www scmp com
Cardinal urges Catholics: Tell solons to stop death penalty bill
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MANILA — As lawmakers debate over reinstating the death penalty Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle urged the faithful to get involved by expressing their opposition to the controversial proposal In a statement the prelate appealed to the Catholic faithful especially those objecting to the reimposition of the death penalty to tell their elected representatives not to support the bill “If you share these convictions you should make them known to your elected representatives ” Tagle said The Manila archbishop made the call in a statement issued on Thursday (Feb 2) “An Invitation to Reflect Pray and Act ” The Catholic Church in the Philippines has always been opposed to reviving the death penalty Earlier this week the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines expressed their “unequivocal” objection to bills seeking to reimpose the death penalty for heinous crimes The plenary discussions on House Bill 4727 began on Wednesday when Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro delivered his sponsorship speech Under the proposed measure the death penalty will be imposed on over 20 crimes such as illegal drug trafficking arson treason murder rape kidnapping carnapping etc In his statement Tagle cited three reasons of the Catholic Church in opposing capital punishment He warned that the death penalty would legitimize violence in dealing with wrongdoing and that penalties might be imposed for vengeance “Penalties are not imposed for vengeance but for the correction of offenders and the good of society A culture of violence dehumanizes A culture of justice integrity and hope heals ” he said Instead what needs to be done is to reform institutions to ensure that these will safeguard justice while preventing the spread of a culture of violence The prelate added that the death penalty has failed to deter or lessen violent crimes “The death penalty has not reduced crime because it does not solve criminality from its roots To help solve these roots of criminality the Church and the state need to protect and strengthen the basic unit of society which is the family ” he said Every human life is a gift from God and every human is saved by Jesus Christ according to Tagle He also warned against humans pretending to be gods by imposing the death penalty “This is the reason why an ethic of life a culture of life is inconsistent with abortion euthanasia human trafficking mutilation and violence against innocent and vulnerable persons ” Tagle added SFM/rga 2017 02 02 03 20 Ju e M news n o nqu rer ne
Carter leads surging LA Kings' 5-0 rout of woeful Avalanche
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — After so many nights of offensive struggle this season the Los Angeles Kings scored on their opening shift and never let up on the woeful Colorado Avalanche Jeff Carter scored two goals and Peter Budaj earned his sixth shutout of the season in the Kings fourth consecutive victory 5-0 over Colorado on Wednesday night Marian Gaborik scored 47 seconds into Los Angeles three-goal first period and Dustin Brown and Dwight King added third-period goals in the Kings first win in four tries over the Avalanche who have lost nine straight "Focusing on our start we get a goal the first shift (and) it goes a long way " Brown said "The team we re playing the situation they re in you have to jump on them early not let them hang around We did that in the first and carried it through "
Budaj made 22 saves in the longtime Avalanche goalie s 17th career shutout for Los Angeles which has ramped up its playoff push with back-to-back victories after hosting the All-Star Game The Kings also won two road games before the break and Budaj was in net for all four games including two shutouts "You can see the standings — it s a tight race " Budaj said "Everybody keeps winning It seems like nobody is losing points so we re doing the best we can It s a big win for us so we can start the (road) trip off on the right foot "
Spencer Martin stopped 35 shots in the 21-year-old prospect s third appearance for the league-worst Avalanche who have lost 19 of 21 The break did little for Colorado which struggled through back-to-back blowout losses in Southern California by a combined 10-1 "It s a young group overall and it s a tough experience " said 39-year-old forward Jarome Iginla who had a possible goal disallowed in the second period "It s still fun to get out there but hockey-wise it s a tough experience to go through (We re) not finding enough ways to win games and tough for the overall confidence But to the group you ve got to work at it daily to keep trying to get better Never quit " Carter secured the eighth 25-goal season of his 12-year NHL career with his first goal and his 26th put him second in the NHL behind Sidney Crosby The Kings power forward is responsible for a higher percentage of his team s goals than any NHL player this season but his low-scoring teammates gave him plenty of support this time "It s pretty disappointing letting in three goals early like that " Martin said "I try to take something from every game and from this game I felt like overall I was able to put it behind me and play better in the second But still you have to be better " Brown scored on a deflection of a shot by defenseman Kevin Gravel who got his first point in 19 games since Dec 10 King then ended his 26-game goal drought since Dec 1 from well behind Colorado s net getting a wacky deflection off Eric Gelinas skate Avalanche forward Rene Bourque left in the opening minutes after receiving a heavy hit near the benches from Los Angeles defenseman Brayden McNabb who wasn t penalized for it John Mitchell got an instigator penalty for starting an ensuing fight with McNabb Kings forward Jordan Nolan then went to the dressing room in the second period with a lower-body injury
NOTES: Longtime Kings announcer Bob Miller returned home Wednesday after being hospitalized following a mild stroke during All-Star weekend The Staples Center crowd chanted "Get well Bob! " during the second period Kings captain Anze Kopitar took a minor penalty giving him 18 penalty minutes this season That s more than he accumulated in all of last season when he won the Lady Byng Trophy Kings All-Star D Drew Doughty had an assist in his sixth straight game extending the longest streak of his nine-year NHL career UP NEXT Avalanche: Host Winnipeg Jets on Saturday Kings: At Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday Copyright 2017 The Associated Press All rights reserved This material may not be published broadcast rewritten or redistributed 2017 02 02 03 17 AP rss eeds usa oday com
Philrealty officially exits rehabilitation
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Property developer Philippine Realty and Holdings Corp (Philrealty) has officially exited a court-assisted corporate rehabilitation becoming the first publicly listed company that was battered by the Asian financial crisis to graduate from court receivership In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday Philrealty said it had received from the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City the certificate of finality that approved the termination of its rehabilitation program “As recommended by the rehabilitation receiver for its successful implementation of the court-approved rehabilitation plan the petitioner’s motion to terminate rehabilitation proceeding on account of the successful implementation of the rehabilitation is hereby granted ” said the RTC certificate dated Jan 4 The court also thanked Philrealty’s rehabilitation receiver Ricardo Ysmael for leading the property developer to a successful rehabilitation Consequently the PSE has agreed to remove Philrealty from its list of companies under corporate rehabilitation effective Feb 3 2017 02 02 03 16 Dor s Dum ao bus ness nqu rer ne
Maryland will face challenge on the boards against Purdue
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A look at things to watch this week in the Big Ten:
GAME OF THE WEEKEND: No 23 Purdue at No 17 Maryland on Saturday Maryland (20-2 8-1) is tied atop the league with No 10 Wisconsin and the Terrapins open the second half of their conference schedule with a tough matchup In its nine conference games Maryland has a defensive rebounding percentage of only 65 the worst mark in the Big Ten Purdue (18-5 7-3) may be able to exploit that weakness with center Isaac Haas and forward Caleb Swanigan LOOKING AHEAD: Michigan State topped rival Michigan at home last weekend 70-62 The rematch at Michigan comes up quickly on Feb 7 Both teams have a solid chance to win in the interim — Michigan State at Nebraska on Thursday night and Michigan at home against Ohio State on Saturday night INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Opponents have shot 48 9 percent from 3-point range against Michigan in league play No 25 Northwestern lost 80-59 to Purdue on Wednesday The Wildcats previous four losses this season were by a combined 19 points Peter Jok of Iowa leads the league in scoring at 21 0 points per game The last Big Ten league leader to finish the season that high was Kris Humphries of Minnesota at 21 7 in 2004 Indiana beat Penn State 110-102 on Wednesday night in the first tripleovertime game at the Hoosiers Assembly Hall PLAYER TO WATCH: Wisconsin s Ethan Happ is tied for eighth in the Big Ten in scoring at 14 5 ppg — but he s the only player in the top 10 without a single 3-point field goal Also he s only shooting 50 percent on free throws All 224 of Happ s shots from the field this season have been from inside the arc and the 6-foot-10 forward has made 61 percent of them ON THE WOMEN S SIDE: No 3 Maryland (21-1 9-0) beat Illinois last Thursday and Iowa on Sunday easily reaching 20 wins for the 13th consecutive season 16-6 at this stage as recently as 2012-13
Michigan (17-5 6-2) is off to the best start in program history The Wolverines have been
___ Compiled by AP Sports Writer Noah Trister in Ann Arbor Michigan 2017 02 02 03 14 The Assoc a ed www char o eobserver com
Quotes about Tara VanDerveer approaching win No 1 000
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Hall of Famer Tara VanDerveer is approaching her 1 000th victory as a head coach What others are saying about her achievement: ___
"I remember when Pat got her 1 000th win and everyone thought Wow nobody s ever done it before so they said How hard is it to do? Well the fact that nobody had ever done it means it s really really hard We ve had some great coaches in our game that haven t even come close to that " — Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma on VanDerveer following the late Pat Summitt into 1 000 wins club ___ "It takes great commitment it takes great partnership with your employers and obviously great relationships with your players You don t last that long unless people enjoy playing for you She s a Hall of Famer " — Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr ___ "Tara is one of the great basketball coaches not only winning games but shaping people s lives The standard she has set can only be admired " — Houston Rockets coach Mike D Antoni ___
"More than anything Tara teaches you as a player as a coach how to be How to be as a person How to be a mature thoughtful kind hard-working unselfish goal-oriented person and teammate I think that s her greatest legacy " — Stanford assistant coach and former Cardinal guard Kate Paye ___ "It doesn t get any more easy to comprehend the longer I think about it It s unreal
It s such big deal " — California coach Lindsay Gottlieb on VanDerveer nearing 1 000 wins
___ "She thrives in that atmosphere especially at this stage when she wants to be highly competitive Tara could go for another 1 000 " — former Stanford star Jayne Appel-Marinelli 2017 02 02 03 12 The Assoc a ed www char o eobserver com
Mahindra looks ahead to next conference: ‘We’ll have better showing’
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Finishing with the second-worst record may be a disappointment but not for a team like Mahindra which still managed to win three games despite losing its core players from last season “We weren’t expecting to do big things We’re expecting to go last but we didn’t go last so there’s some silver linings ” said Mahindra guard Alex Mallari Despite the Floodbuster’s surprise run in the 2016 Governors’ Cup coach Chris Gavina found himself back to square one as he had to start from scratch after the team opted to let go of Nino Canaleta Aldrech Ramos Bradwyn Guinto Keith Agovida and Paolo Taha With a new-look team led by Alex Mallari Mahindra unsurprisingly struggled dropping its first five games before scoring a breakthrough on Christmas Day a 97-93 overtime victory over Blackwater and following it up with a 105-82 triumph over Meralco Though the Floodbuster ended the conference with a 3-8 slate there were definitely some positives for the team going forward “There’s definitely the light at the end of the tunnel ” said Gavina “I’ve been telling the guys that our losses don’t define the character that we built and the resiliency of our guys to stay together A lot of young guys are learning to deal with adversity and figure out how to be successful at the elite level Being young you can’t fast-track experience but a lot of guys made a lot of headways ” For one Mallari is looking like a legitimate go-to guy for Mahindra Holdovers LA Revilla Mark Yee and Jason Ballesteros have also provided consistent contributions for the team Its rookies Russel Escoto Joseph Eriobu and Reden Celda have also been solid as well as free agent pickups Philip Paniamogan and Jeric Teng while veterans Ryan Arana and Gary David are expected to recover from their injuries in time for the second conference “Our guys are really looking forward to coming back and hold themselves accountable for their performance ” Gavina said “I truly believe that we’ll have a better showing ” he said “We’re going to have extended time to really start teaching guys just how to play basketball the way we need them to play – not the way they think they need to play – and develop the guys’ skill sets that I feel like we need to maximize them in our system The way we develop is really uncanny We break down players’ weaknesses and maximize them so we can turn those weaknesses into strengths ” Mallari believes the Floodbuster will make a splash in the Commissioner’s Cup “We’re young and we got a lot of energy We just need to put it all together Every new team has a learning process and we know that With an import it’s going to take a lot of load out of the other guys and open up more opportunities for everybody I think next conference we’ll make some noise ” But for that to happen Gavina said that there should be continuity with the roster that he has “I’m praying I won’t be losing eight guys again coming in the second conference and start from zero If we can keep this core together I think I’m expecting us where we want us to be ” he said as the Mahindra management now begins to scour the globe for a reinforcement next conference “Hopefully we can get a monster of an import I hope Kobe Bryant is available Maybe he’s on our budget ” Gavina joked ending the all-Filipino conference with a smile on his face 2017 02 02 03 11 Rando ph B spor s nqu rer ne
How to watch tonight's MSU Spartans-Nebraska Cornhuskers game
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Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena Lincoln Neb TV: ESPN Radio: WJR-AM (760; other radio affiliates )
Game notes: MSU is coming off a win Sunday over in-state rival Michigan but now face a challenge they haven t conquered since Dec 27 -- win a game away from Breslin Center Four of the Spartans next five are at home but a loss to middling Nebraska can only hurt MSU s NCAA tournament resume The Cornhuskers have two of the top 10 scorers in the Big Ten in Tai Webster (third at 18 1 points per game) and Glynn Watson Jr (eighth 14 5) Related: Twitter updates On mobile? Tap here for live updates 2017 02 02 03 09 K rk and Craw ord rss eeds reep com
Brazil’s economy heats up for Rio Carnival
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Brazil is hoping renewed tourist interest will provide a boost to its economy in 2017 as it seeks to capitalise on the legacy of 2016 s Olympic and Paralympic Games The country s ministry of tourism expects the flow of foreign tourists into Brazil to increase by around six percent over the coming year based on growth registered by previous hosts of the game Last year Brazil welcomed a record 6 6 million foreign tourists to its various coastal cities which played host to the games This contributed $6 2 billion to the national economy an increase of 6 2 percent on the previous year "England the last country to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games grew by 0 92 percent from 2011 to 2012 In subsequent years the average increase was 5 percent a year " Tourism Minister Marx Beltrao said in a press release ahead of this year s Rio Carnival "The numbers are extremely positive they show that we can still make great progress " This year Brazil is expecting 1 1 million foreign tourists to visit the annual Rio Carnival held from February 24 to 28 As the country heats up for the event CNBC takes a look back at the highs and lows that have characterised the country s global position over recent decades and what the future might hold for South America s largest economy 2017 02 02 03 09 Karen G chr s www cnbc com
2 Troy High students suspected of plotting Columbine-style school shooting police say
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FULLERTON – Two Troy High School students were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of plotting a shooting at the Fullerton campus one they described to investigators as planned to be more deadly than the infamous Columbine shooting police say
The two boys both 16 and whose names were not released because they are juveniles were overheard discussing plans to “shoot up” the school while attending an athletic event Tuesday evening said Sgt Jon Radus of the Fullerton Police Department The boys also discussed firearms police said The person who overheard the discussion secretly took a photo of the students and spoke with Troy’s school resource officer on Wednesday morning police said The students had described their planned attack as being “bigger than Columbine ” referring to the 1999 high school shooting in Colorado in which two students killed 12 classmates and one teacher police said Troy one of six high schools in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District is a magnet school located near Cal State Fullerton and has more than 2 600 students according to a fact sheet on the institution The officer spoke with Troy High and Fullerton Joint Union High School administrators who identified the boys from the photo Multiple officers interviewed the students on campus Wednesday and both students made comments similar to those overheard at the sporting event Radus said Investigators discovered the boys had researched school shootings including Columbine and weaponry as recently as Tuesday the statement said Police served warrants at multiple locations in Anaheim on Wednesday No weapons were found Radus said In a statement the Fullerton Police Department referred to the students’ plans as a “possible school shooting plot ” “An immediate plan would have meant we uncovered weapons and a specific date and time ” Radus said But he added lacking those specifics is “just as if not more concerning because we didn’t know when this was going to unfold ” Not finding weapons “has no bearing” on the seriousness of the plot Radus said “We truly believe countless lives were saved” by the person who reported the boys Radus said “People who hear red flags should report those red flags because you don’t want to look back and know you could have stopped a tragedy ” The boys are in Orange County Juvenile Hall and are being detained on suspicion of making criminal threats and conspiracy to commit a felony The case will be handed over the Orange County District Attorney’s Office in the next day so officials there can determine whether to charge the boys Radus said The few board members who could be reached Wednesday evening referred questions about the plot to the school district administration But two of them stressed that safety is the district’s primary concern
“If in fact it was a real threat ” said Marilyn Buchi a Fullerton Joint Union High School District board member since 1983 “then they (law enforcement) were on top of what was happening and it’s comforting to know that they were able to keep the school safe " Anyone with more information is asked to call Fullerton police Officer A Coyle at 714-738-3156 or go to occrimestoppers org Contact the writer: 714-796-6979 or chaire@ocregister 2017 02 02 03 08 occr mes oppers org www ocreg s er com
America’s titans of solar power
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According to the U S Department of Energy solar power has become "more affordable accessible and prevalent in the United States than ever before " Here Sustainable Energy takes a look at some of the most striking solar facilities in the U S and the impact they have had on the country 2017 02 02 03 07 Anmar Frangou www cnbc com
Man who 'lost tooth' hunting for Tom Brady Uggs faked story
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A Boston man who said he lost a tooth while searching for slippers signed by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady as part of a scavenger hunt now says he faked his story Luke Barosky tried to find one of three pairs of Ugg slippers signed by Brady in December but had no luck He says he decided to post a picture on Brady s Facebook page that showed him with a missing tooth He wrote that he was running so hard looking for the slippers that he fell and lost a tooth The post went viral and Brady ended up sending him a signed pair Barosky says it was all a joke and he never thought his story would be taken seriously He plans to donate one of the shoes to charity 2017 02 02 03 06 The Assoc a ed www hera don ne com
People wouldn’t care if three quarters of brands disappeared: Survey
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Can 300 000 consumers be wrong? A new survey claims that many brands could disappear and the public wouldn t mind Havas Group s "Meaningful Brands" report shows that people wouldn t care if 74 percent of brands they use vanished and they also say that 60 percent of the content produced by companies is poor irrelevant or failing to deliver Havas Media Group global managing director Dominique Delport told CNBC that people s rejection of brands is due to too much communication "We have an overload of brands opportunities so people can switch very easily and… too much communication kill communication so you need to be meaningful for people " he said The Havas study shows that 75 percent of those surveyed expect brands to "make more of a contribution to our wellbeing " yet only 40 percent think brands are doing so The report also produced a ranking of the most meaningful brands with Google PayPal WhatsApp YouTube Samsung Mercedes Benz Nivea Microsoft Ikea and Lego making up the top 10 "I really think that if you look at all these tech brands they are at the top of the ranking why because they make my life easier basically and they are quite free All these apps are nearly free to download providing great services " Delport added Delport defined a meaningful brand as one which functionally works is value for money and makes someone s life easier as well as considering the impact it has on a community Havas looked at 1 500 global brands getting feedback from 300 000 people in 33 countries A separate study by consultancy Brand Finance also released this week claims that Google is the most valuable brand in the world rising from $88 2 billion in 2016 to $109 4 billion Google has overtaken Apple which now has a brand value of $107 1 billion down 27 percent on last year 2017 02 02 03 05 Lucy Hand ey www cnbc com
[WATCH] Steph Curry’s Dad Shoots 3-Pointer In Epic Video — See ‘Awesome’ Shot
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Steph Curry 28 tossed a basketball toward his dad Dell Curry 52 on Feb 1 during a break in a Golden State Warriors vs Charlotte Hornets game and what happened next could go down in history as one of the best father-son moments in the history of basketball!
Dell (who happened to be wearing a SUIT) snatched the ball stepped toward the basket and sunk an “awesome” 3-pointer The crowd went wild and so did the Warriors player who couldn’t have been prouder to call Dell his dad as he pumped his fist in the air "I m the originator! " … Pops had the cannon first… Dell Curry from the logo! A video posted by NBA (@nba) on Feb 1 2017 at 7:45pm PST
To be fair we kinda thought Dell was gonna sink that shot seeing as he played in the NBA for 16 years Seems like Dell knew he was gonna make that 3-pointer too cause when he sunk it in the hoop he just shrugged OMG could he be any cooler? “‘I’m the originator!’ … Pops had the cannon first… Dell Curry from the logo!” the NBA captioned a video of the epic moment from the game which they posted to Instagram Dell shot 40 2 percent overall on 3-pointers during his career and Steph is shooting 44 percent now We hope these two keep duking it out on the court for years to come as Dell is sure to push Steph to do his best Dell show your son who’s boss! HollywoodLifers what do you think of Dell’s insanely epic 3-pointer? Give us all your thoughts below! Chinese Laundry Puts Up Three-Story 78-Foot-Wide Installation… The 100 EP on That Lexa Moment in the Season 4 Premiere: It Was… Losses of $913 Million at Sony s Pictures Division Cut Group… Controversial Breitbart Editor s Speech Canceled Amid Fiery… Polish Your Professional Style With These Silk Suspenders The Power of Content Copyright © 2017 PMC All rights reserved Powered by WordPress com VIP 2017 02 02 03 04 Jenn er Maas ho ywood e com
Mary Frances Dunn Upchurch
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NC State s Abu: It feels like a million but it is just one NC State s Mark Gottfried: We had cement boots on State s Dennis Smith says Wolfpack didn t play hard enough to beat Louisville Education Secretary nominee DeVos: I will be an advocate for all great schools Trump endorses use of ‘nuclear option’ to confirm his Supreme Court pick Under the Dome: First day of the legislative session 2017 02 02 03 01 www newsobserver com
Quebec Shooting Suspect Visited Mosque Days Before Attack: Report
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The suspect in Sunday s Quebec City mosque shooting visited the house of worship three days before his deadly attack on worshipers reports Canada s CTV News
According to worshiper Houssine el Manoug shooting suspect Alexandre Bissonnette entered the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre wearing a long black coat and carrying a backpack last Thursday three days before he stormed into the center and opened fire during evening prayers killing six people
El Manoug then briefly interacted with Bissonnette "When I wanted to get out of the mosque I said salem which means hello in our language And he answered salut " Manoug told CTV News an ABC News partner "And then he started talking about something else He told me I love kabab and shisha " El Manoug said Bissonnette also asked him for money before he left the center After hearing about the attack on Sunday El Manoug said he searched Bissonnette’s name online and immediately recognized him "I found the picture of the guy It was the same one " El Manoug said Bissonnette 27 has been charged with six counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said The university student s motive remains unclear police said 2017 02 02 02 56 By abcnews go com
Who Wore it Better: Chris Brown Posts Adorable Picture of His Daughter in Matching Outfits
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Chris Brown doesn’t know day offs While working on his upcoming album Heartbreak on a full moon he’s busy promoting his latest single “Party” from the album He’s training for a celebrity boxing match against his rival Soulja Boy and also posting bizarre Instagram videos admitting he’s a stalker During all the Chris Brown drama he still manages to be a doting dad for his adorable daughter Royalty Brown The latest proof that Chris Brown is a fool for his little girl comes in the form of an Instagram post of Royalty dressed like her father Here’s more about Chris Brown’s tooth-ache inducing sweet picture of his daughter
Earlier today (February 1) Chris Brown posted a picture of his 2-year-old on Instagram Two panels of the father and daughter show them wear the red checkered lumberjack jacket and captioned “Double Trouble” While Brown’s outfit is matched with a gray hoodie and a cap Royalty has some snazzy bling around her neck with her name in gold and the cutest gap-toothed grin If we were to play the popular social media game ‘Who Wore It Better?’ sorry Breezy But Royalty takes the cake Even Brown’s 35 million Instagram followers can’t get enough of this post Royalty has been showered with words like “cutie pie” “adorable” and “precious” Some followers have already predicted that Royalty will grow up to be a stunner Chris has been very active on Instagram His most recent controversy comes from a bizarre video where he warns his lovers he’s the stalker kind The post has since been deleted but the aftershock still remains
The 27-year-old has also called out his ex Nia Guzman Royalty’s mother for dressing up their daughter for dance class in a black tutu “It’s crazy to me that a parent would be OK dressing our daughter like she 16 I ain’t cool with that She is 2!!!” he wrote on the post on Guzman’s Instagram page Brown and Guzman were locked in a bitter custody battle over Royalty with the court awarding Brown with full custody Feuding exes aside Breezy is also locked in a heated animosity with “Crank That” singer Soulja Boy ever since he liked an Instagram post of Brown’s ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran The two have exchanged choice words over social media with Soulja even dragging Royalty and Guzman into it Soulja had posted a picture with Brown’s daughter and ex which angered Brown The feud has now escalated to boxing match Professional fighter-turned-boxing promoter set up a celebrity boxing match between Brown and Soulja Brown is reportedly training under Mike Tyson while Soulja is being mentored by Tyson’s rival Evander Holyfield The match is expected to take place in Dubai sometime in March 50Cent who initiated that the feuding artists resolve their issues in the ring has backed Brown 2017 02 02 02 51 Caro ne John www earn heneck ace com
Ohio coroner's office running out of room due to overdose deaths Contact WND
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(CNN) An Ohio coroner’s office is running out of room for bodies because it can’t keep up with deaths caused by drug overdoses The Montgomery County Coroner’s office which encompasses cities like Dayton already processed 145 overdose-related deaths in 2017 That makes up more 60% of the total autopsies it conducted in January said county Coroner Dr Kent Harshbarger “Overdoses are coming in all the time and we’re constantly full on a day-to-day basis ” Harshbarger told CNN The accidental overdoses are from heroin and fentanyl he said 2017 02 02 02 50 www wnd com
Thousands sign petition to ban plastic surgery games
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Thousands of Australians have signed a petition urging the removal of plastic surgery games aimed at children from app stores Danni Rowlands stumbled across ‘Plastic Surgery Simulator’ and was horrified to discover that it was one of many free cosmetic surgery games available for download on the Apple Amazon and Google app stores The game allows players to alter the features on an animated character in a surgical cap with options available for altering various features including the skin eyes lips nose and legs Thousands of Australians have signed a petition set up by Danni Rowlands (right) urging the removal of plastic surgery games aimed at children from app stores Its description explains: ‘Every girl dreams of a delicate face and stunning figure If makeup can’t give you the beauty you want – you can turn into a Victoria’s Secret model at once!’ Ms Rowlands representing Endangered Bodies Australia a non-profit group which aims to challenge the current toxic culture that promotes negative body image set up a petition on Change org It is one of eight aimed at different regions of the world – which has attracted more than 5 000 signatures so far On the page she wrote: ‘As a mother of a daughter and son I truly hope that as my children grow I can teach and show them how to respect their bodies and that they know their appearance does not determine their lovability success or happiness in life ‘Plastic Surgery Simulator’ (above) is one of many cosmetic surgery games aimed at kids Ms Rowlands warns that rather than being harmless such games could have serious consequences on children and their mental health The game allows players to use scalpels and syringes to alter various features including the skin eyes lips nose and legs
‘Parenting has never been easy but with technology constantly advancing and our society’s obsession with appearance and perfection intensifying all the time I feel it has become even more challenging to raise self-assured body confident and resilient children ’
She added: ‘These free apps targeting our children introduce the concept of cosmetic surgery far too young encouraging children to look for faults and flaws in appearance and to see permanently surgically changing a person’s features as a solution – as a game - which it most definitely is not ‘What upset me most was the accompanying descriptions which in a few words manage to reduce our girls and boys to meaningless objects where looking perfect is the most important attribute ’ The games encourage users to ‘slice virtual patients apart using scalpels and syringes Ms Rowlands added that rather than being harmless such games could have serious consequences on children and their mental health She also said the games encourage users to ‘slice virtual patients apart using scalpels syringes and other tools ’ ‘By making cosmetic surgery apps available for download Apple Google and Amazon are allowing companies to stoke and profit from the insecurities of children ’ she added 2017 02 02 02 48 Kha eda Rahman www da yma co uk
Hyundai Motor to build tallest building in Korea
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By Kim Tae-gyu Hyundai Motor’s new office in southern Seoul will become the country’s tallest structure as the automaker is set to raise its height to 569 metres up by 16 metres from the original plan The change was reflected in the company’s report to the Seoul Metropolitan City for a review of the skyscraper’s effects on the environment disclosed Wednesday To be dethroned is the 123-storey Lotte World Tower in southeastern Seoul whose height is 555 metres “To raise the speed of elevators we need some extra space and that’s why the 105-storey building’s height has been extended to 569 metres ” a Hyundai Motor official said After getting the necessary approvals Hyundai Motor’s affiliates including Hyundai Engineering and Construction will start construction of the landmark building late this year at the earliest It will cost 2 56 trillion won (US$2 23 billion) When the construction is completed in the early 2020s Hyundai Motor and its sister company Kia Motors will move into the building along with other subsidiaries In the meantime Hyundai Motor said Wednesday that it managed a 1 3-per cent increase in global sales in January from a year ago while its performance at home slackened Hyundai sold 342 607 cars in the month including 297 507 overseas and 45 100 domestically The figures represent a 3 1-per cent hike overseas but a 9 5 per cent slide at home Of the cars sold abroad 56 200 were manufactured in the country and 241 307 at plants abroad 2017 02 02 02 45 Korea T mes www scmp com
Two survive construction site trench collapse
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Durban – Two people were injured after a trench at a construction site they were working on collapsed on North Coast Road in Durban on Wednesday evening Rescue Care’s Ceron Lennox said the men aged 42 and 22 were lucky to have only sustained moderate injuries Lennox said by the time paramedics arrived at the scene the 22-year-old had been freed The older man was pinned down by a large concrete pillar and mud for approximately two and a half hours before being freed Lennox said 2017 02 02 02 43 www news24 com
Kruger's Safari Resort postponed due to 'logistical challenges'
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Cape Town - The Radisson Blu Safari Resort in the Kruger National Park is still on the cards but development on the resort has been postponed due to "logistical challenges" This is according to Reynold Thakhuli SANParks s general media manager who told Traveller24 that "the project is slightly behind schedule due to some logistical challenges which are currently being managed" The Safari Resort was approved in 2016 following a lengthy Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Then following the approval booking sites were advertising its opening for 2017
But according to William Mabasa acting head of communications for SANParks the opening date has been pushed out due to "discussions which must take place between the parties involved in order to make sure that all is well before the development starts" Mabasa says they are unable to say when exactly development will start
When the development was initially approved SANParks welcomed the proposed 240-bed Kruger National park hotel saying it will have the lowest development footprint in the world at less than 4% The full-service facility that will be constructed on the periphery of the park at the Malelane Gate Precinct ALSO SEE: SANParks broadens horizons with new unfenced visitor experience
The lodge is meant to operate at a higher level than the traditional camps in the park which serves the traditional self-catering market In the initial fact sheet on the development SANParks said that "international visitors are accustomed to resort-style accommodation in national parks around the world and expect the same when visiting the Kruger National Park" What to read next on Traveller24 : - SANParks broadens horizons with new unfenced visitor experience - OMW! Pride of 10 lions fight over impala kill end up under tourist s car - New Kruger accommodation - Pafuri Border Camp - opens for bookings 2017 02 02 02 40
rave er24 news24 com
California Libertarian Angela McArdle Files To Run For Congress In Special Election
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My name is Angela McArdle and I am running for Congress as the Libertarian nominee in the April 4th election for California’s 34th District which covers most of downtown LA and its adjacent neighborhoods In case you didn’t know there’s a special election in my district because the former congressman received an appointment to become California’s Attorney General I need to get the word out about my campaign so that we don’t get stuck with another Democrat Due to the last election a lot of people are opening up to Libertarian concepts like States’ Rights and secession https://www facebook com/angelamcardleldaforcongress/ https://www gofundme com/angelaforcongress2017 2017 02 02 02 37 J
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‘Groundhog Day’ Movie Cast & Quotes 14 Years Later
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In 1993 Bill Murray starred in the movie Groundhog Day with a cast comprised of Andie MacDowell Harold Ramis and Chris Elliott Murray’s older brother Brian Doyle-Murray also appears in the movie as the Mayor as he does in many of Murray’s other films When it comes to appearing in brother Bill Murray’s films you may remember Brian from Scrooged Ghostbusters 2 and Caddyshack He also appeared on Saturday Night Live years ago Now let’s get back to Groundhog Day In honor of the annual event read on below for the best quotes from the film – Well what if there is no tomorrow? There wasn’t one today – This is pitiful A thousand people freezing their butts off waiting to worship a rat What a hype Groundhog Day used to mean something in this town They used to pull the hog out and they used to eat it You’re hypocrites all of you! – There is no way that this winter is EVER going to end as long as this groundhog keeps seeing his shadow I don’t see any other way out He’s got to be stopped And I have to stop him – Not bad … Mr Connors you say this is your first lesson? Yes but my father was a piano mover so – It’s the same thing your whole life: “Clean up your room Stand up straight Pick up your feet Take it like a man Be nice to your sister Don’t mix beer and wine ever ” Oh yeah: “Don’t drive on the railroad track ” – When Chekhov saw the long winter he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts I couldn’t imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter – What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same and nothing that you did mattered? That about sums it up for me – I’m a god I’m not the God I don’t think
– Ned… Ryerson “Needlenose Ned”? “Ned the Head”? C’mon buddy Case Western High Ned Ryerson: I did the whistling belly-button trick at the high school talent show? Bing! Ned Ryerson: got the shingles real bad senior year almost didn’t graduate? Bing again Ned Ryerson: I dated your sister Mary Pat a couple times until you told me not to anymore? Well? – You want a prediction about the weather you’re asking the wrong Phil I’ll give you a winter prediction: It’s gonna be cold it’s gonna be grey and it’s gonna last you for the rest of your life – Okay campers rise and shine and don’t forget your booties cause its cold out there…its cold out there every day – Morons your bus is leaving – Ned I would love to stay here and talk with you… but I’m not going to – I don’t know where you’re headed … but can you call in sick? – Are you drunk or something? Drunk is more fun – I think you’re the kindest sweetest prettiest person I’ve ever met in my life I’ve never seen anyone that’s nicer to people than you are The first time I saw you… something happened to me I never told you but… I knew that I wanted to hold you as hard as I could I don’t deserve someone like you But if I ever could I swear I would love you for the rest of my life – Can I talk to you about a matter that is not work-related? You never talk about work – Someday someone’s gonna see me interviewing a groundhog and think I don’t have a future – Winter slumbering in the open air wears on its smiling face a dream… of spring Ciao – Whatever happens tomorrow or for the rest of my life I’m happy now… because I love you – This is one time where television really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather Below is apparently a deleted scene from the movie with Bill Murray’s character hustling a game of pool Get the facts for Groundhog Day 2016 Read on for quotes about Punxsutawney Phil predictions on his shadow and more 2017 02 02 02 36 Lauren We g e heavy com
Guangdong cities empty during Lunar New Year as Chinese migrant workers head home for the holiday
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Guangdong province experienced a mass exodus of its residents during Lunar Near Year most of whom were migrant workers with four of its cities ranking as China’s top “ghost cities” during the holiday One of Guangdong’s major industrial cities Dongguan ranked first in China’s empty cities during Lunar New Year as close to 70 per cent of its population left town during the holiday according to the Qihoo 360 Big Data Centre one of China’s leading internet data centres Three other cities in the same province – Foshan Guangzhou and Shenzhen – took the next three places on the list all with more than 60 per cent of their residents away during Lunar New Year Shanghai and Beijing each lost more than half of their population during the period Local newspaper reported Qihoo 360 a mainland software giant compiled its “Ghost City Index” by tracking the locations of its users during the Lunar New Year travel rush Guangdong province is home to many manufacturing-heavy cities such as Dongguan and Foshan which attract many migrant workers These cities routinely experience major losses of population during major holidays when residents either return to their home towns or go on trips According to state official data Dongguan has a population of more than 8 million but less than 2 million of them are native which means migrant workers account for over 75 per cent of the total population The same data set showed that Jiangxi and Hunan are the two provinces that supply the most migrant workers each with more than 7 per cent of their populations seeking work in other provinces Baidu Data Centre also documented the traffic trends in China during the holiday period Its data showed that among those who left Dongguan during the holiday 36 per cent headed to Hong Kong but they did not indicate whether the trips were for tourism or other purposes 2017 02 02 02 34 Josh Ye www scmp com
Wyoming fees for hunting fishing licenses could go up
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Wyoming lawmakers are considering legislation that would raise fees for hunting and fishing licenses for the first time in nearly a decade The Casper Star-Tribune reported (http://bit ly/2kjNPxX ) Wednesday that many of the license fees would only go up about one or two dollars The proposal is intended to help offset the Wyoming Game and Fish Department s expected loss of nearly $5 million in general funds The money being cut by the Legislature is used on sage grouse management wolf management and other wildlife efforts If the bill passes the department s John Kennedy says the state could bring in an additional $4 5 million annually Most of Game and Fish s money comes from license fees and federal taxes on hunting and fishing equipment The Legislature denied the department s request for a license fee increase in 2013 2017 02 02 02 33 The Assoc a ed www henews r bune com
Top 25 Capsules
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Josh Jackson had 23 points and 10 rebounds then helped third-ranked Kansas prevent No 2 Baylor from getting off a potential tying shot in the closing seconds of the Jayhawks 73-68 victory Wednesday night Frank Mason III added 19 points including two free throws to seal the win and Devonte Graham scored 13 as the Jayhawks (20-2 8-1) pulled a game ahead of the Bears (20-2 7-2) in the Big 12 race The game was tied 64-all with 2:23 left when Jackson went baseline for a dunk After Mason made a couple of foul shots moments later the teams began trading baskets down the stretch in a matchup that lived up to its billing — and the lofty rankings of both teams The Jayhawks hung on to win their 51st consecutive game at Allen Fieldhouse — a building where Baylor has never won in 15 tries Johnathan Motley led the Bears with 16 points and 10 rebounds Manu Lecomte also scored 16 Kansas took a big step toward winning its 13th straight league title and did it by beating the Bears for the ninth straight time Jayhawks coach Bill Self improved to 8-0 against top-5 teams in Allen Fieldhouse ___ No 4 VILLANOVA 66 PROVIDENCE 57 PROVIDENCE R I (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half and Villanova held off Providence to sweep the season series from the Friars Josh Hart added 17 points and eight rebounds for the Wildcats (21-2 8-2 Big East) who never trailed They led by as many as 13 in the second half before Providence turned up its defensive pressure and made a late run A long 3-pointer by Providence freshman Alpha Diallo cut the deficit to 59-57 with just more than two minutes left and brought the crowd to its feet The Friars had a chance to get closer after Brunson was called for traveling with just under a minute remaining and the Wildcats up by four But the sophomore guard stole the ball on the other end and completed a three-point play that put the game out of reach Diallo had 18 points for Providence (14-10 4-7) which was coming off a big road win at Marquette but has lost three of four ___ No 9 VIRGINIA 71 VIRGINIA TECH 48 CHARLOTTESVILLE Va (AP) — Devon Hall had 17 points nine rebounds and four assists as Virginia beat rival Virginia Tech Isaiah Wilkins added a career-high 15 points and nine rebounds and London Perrantes scored 14 for the Cavaliers (17-4 7-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) It was their first game since losing on a tip-in at the buzzer against defending national champion Villanova on Sunday The Hokies (16-6 5-5) got 14 points from Seth Allen but were held 33 points below their season average by the nation s stingiest scoring defense Virginia Tech became the sixth team held under 50 points by the Cavaliers this season Virginia scored the first 10 points of the game and led by 15 in the first half The Cavaliers pushed the lead as high as 19 early in the second ___ No 11 UCLA 95 WASHINGTON STATE 79 PULLMAN Wash (AP) — Freshman forward TJ Leaf scored a season-high 32 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as UCLA beat Washington State to stop a two-game slide Thomas Welsh added 17 points for UCLA (20-3 7-3 Pac-12) and Lonzo Ball had 14 Ike Iroegbu scored 20 points for Washington State (11-11 4-6) which was coming off a win at Arizona State Conor Clifford added 16 points and Josh Hawkinson had 15 The game was close for the first 30 minutes before a rash of turnovers by Washington State allowed the Bruins to pull away ___ No 14 CINCINNATI 57 TULSA 55 TULSA Okla (AP) — Troy Caupain hit a 16-foot jumper with 4 4 seconds left to lift Cincinnati over Tulsa Caupain converted a three-point play with 39 seconds remaining to pull the Bearcats into a 55-all tie after trailing by 11 with about six minutes to go Tulsa s Pat Birt then had his entry pass stolen and Caupain pulled up for the game-winner Caupain finished with 15 points for the Bearcats (20-2 9-0 American Athletic Conference) Kyle Washington and Jacob Evans scored 10 apiece and Gary Clark added nine points and 11 rebounds Jaleel Wheeler scored 13 points to lead Tulsa (12-9 6-3) T K Edogi added eight points and 13 rebounds Tulsa led 55-52 and had one of its top free throw shooters at the line in Sterling Taplin but he missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 1:19 left ___ No 15 FLORIDA STATE 75 MIAMI 57 CORAL GABLES Fla (AP) — Jonathan Isaac scored 15 points and Florida State held Miami scoreless for more than 6½ minutes in the second half to snap a two-game skid Isaac shot 5 for 7 and added seven rebounds and three steals in 25 minutes Dwayne Bacon also had 15 points and Xavier Rathan-Mayes added 13 including three 3-pointers The Seminoles (19-4 7-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) lost to unranked teams twice last week after going 5-1 during a stretch against opponents that were all ranked Florida State had dropped three in a row to Miami (14-7 4-5) The Hurricanes were outscored 44-23 in the second half and lost for only the second time in their past 25 home games Bruce Brown had 17 points to lead the Hurricanes who went 2 for 11 from 3-point range ___ No 19 SOUTH CAROLINA 88 LSU 63 BATON ROUGE La (AP) — PJ Dozier and Duane Notice each scored 17 points and South Carolina easily defeated reeling LSU Chris Silva tied a career high with 16 points and Sindarius Thornwell also scored 16 for the Gamecocks (18-4 8-1 Southeastern Conference) off to their best start in conference play since the 1997 squad opened its SEC schedule 11-0 The victory also lifted South Carolina into a tie with eighth-ranked Kentucky atop the league standings Brandon Sampson scored 16 points for LSU (9-12 1-8) which trailed by 20 in the first half en route to its eighth straight defeat — seven by 13 points or more ___ No 23 PURDUE 80 No 25 NORTHWESTERN 59 WEST LAFAYETTE Ind (AP) — Caleb Swanigan had 24 points and 16 rebounds and Vince Edwards scored 17 to lead Purdue over Northwestern The Boilermakers (18-5 7-3 Big Ten) have won four of five and still have not lost consecutive games this season Bryant McIntosh scored 22 points to lead Northwestern (18-5 7-3) The Wildcats six-game winning streak came to an end on a night when leading scorer Scottie Lindsey sat out because of the flu Purdue took advantage of Lindsey s absence by going 9 of 14 on 3-pointers in the first half and pulling out to a 45-23 lead Northwestern couldn t get closer than 14 in the second half Swanigan had his 19th double-double of the season 2017 02 02 02 31 The Assoc a ed www char o eobserver com
Harsh reality: Facebook’s Oculus Rift accused of stealing VR tech is ordered to pay US$500m
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A US jury Wednesday ordered Facebook and creators of its Oculus Rift to pay US$500 million to gaming software firm ZeniMax in a lawsuit that claimed the virtual reality technology was stolen The Texas jury made the award in a trial in which Oculus was accused of basing its Rift headset on technology stolen from ZeniMax’s virtual reality software court documents showed The lawsuit claimed Oculus founder Palmer Luckey and his colleagues developed the virtual reality gear using source code illegally obtained from the gaming firm The jury dismissed the charge that Oculus stole or misappropriated trade secrets but found Oculus liable for copyright infringement and other violations Luckey was ordered to pay US$50 million of the award and another former Oculus executive Brendan Iribe US$150 million The two executives were accused of violating a non-disclosure agreement with ZeniMax and copying the source code and other documents on a USB storage device ZeniMax had sought US$4 billion in damages in the case in which Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg testified to defend his company Maryland-based ZeniMax said it was “pleased” about the award for “unlawful infringement of our copyrights and trademarks and for the violation of our nondisclosure agreement with Oculus pursuant to which we shared breakthrough VR technology that we had developed and that we exclusively own ” Robert Altman ZeniMax’s chairman and chief executive said in the statement: “Technology is the foundation of our business and we consider the theft of our intellectual property to be a serious matter ” In its statement Oculus said: “The heart of this case was about whether Oculus stole ZeniMax’s trade secrets and the jury found decisively in our favour ” Oculus said it plans to appeal the verdict and was “undeterred” in its efforts to bring virtual reality technology to consumers “Our commitment to the long-term success of VR remains the same and the entire team will continue the work they’ve done since day one developing VR technology that will transform the way people interact and communicate ” the Oculus statement said “We look forward to filing our appeal and eventually putting this litigation behind us ” Facebook acquired Oculus in 2014 for more than US$2 billion and last year began selling the Rift headsets as part of the social network’s push into virtual reality According to the ZeniMax allegations the four founders of Oculus had no expertise or backgrounds in VR other than Palmer Luckey But ZeniMax said Luckey “could not code the software that was the key to solving the issues of VR ” The ZeniMax statement added that “we will consider what further steps we need to take to ensure there will be no ongoing use of our misappropriated technology including by seeking an injunction to restrain Oculus and Facebook from their ongoing use of computer code that the jury found infringed Zenimax’s copyrights ” The news came as Facebook was releasing its earnings for the fourth quarter Zuckerberg in his opening statement to analysts sad Facebook would “keep making big investments in VR content and I am excited about what is coming in 2017 from games to more immersive experiences ” 2017 02 02 02 31 Agence France www scmp com
Trump holds 'little breakfast' to kick off Black History Month
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The session was attended by Ben Carson Trump s nominee to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development his sole black Cabinet pick "Well this is Black History Month so this is our little breakfast our little get-together " Trump said seated beside Carson and Omarosa Manigault a former "Apprentice" contestant and now an assistant to the President Prominent African-American leaders from groups like the NAACP or the National Urban League weren t in attendance But Trump nonetheless hailed in sometimes awkward terms the black community Trump goes back to hitting his favorite punching bag: The media "Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who s done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more I noticed " Trump said "Harriett Tubman Rosa Parks and millions more black Americans that made America what it is today Big impact I m proud to honor this heritage and will be honoring it more and more " Trump cited as a sign of progress the recent opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington as well as the figures of history featured inside the structure One Democrat not in attendance Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond D-Louisiana downplayed the session as a political stunt "It s one thing to pose for a photo op and it s another to offer real solutions " he said "The CBC has offered the President a number of solutions to address real problems If he is serious about addressing issues in the African-American community and honoring Black History Month he will start working with us to implement them " But in the meeting Trump s supporters praised the President for his moves on combating inner-city violence
Darrell Scott a pastor who campaigned for Trump told the President Wednesday that because of his relationship with the administration and Omarosa he s now set up a meeting with "top gang thugs" in Chicago to discuss gun violence and crime in the Windy City
"I was recently contacted by some of the top gang thugs in Chicago for a sit-down They reached out to me because they associated me with you They respect you " Scott said as he introduced himself during a roundtable meeting that the President hosted at the White House for African-American leaders Trump agreed that this was a good step forward nodding and adding that "Chicago is totally out of control " Scott who did not name the gangs described them as "straight street guys" but ones who are committed to "lowering the body count " referencing the high murder rate in the city The President has focused several tweets and public statements about violence in Chicago tweeting a week ago that if the "carnage" in Chicago didn t end he would "send in the feds " Trump reiterated at Wednesday s meeting that he s willing to get involved to stop the violence "What s happening in Chicago should not be happening in this country " he said 2017 02 02 02 30 E zabe h Landers rss cnn com
Butler scores 28 and Bulls rout Thunder 128-100
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The Chicago Bulls got just the start they needed for their six-game road trip Jimmy Butler scored 28 points to help the Bulls rout the Oklahoma City Thunder 128-100 on Wednesday night Dwyane Wade had 18 points and seven assists for the Bulls who shot 60 5 percent from the field overall and 68 percent in the second half They needed the momentum on a trip that includes games at Houston and Golden State "This was just a great team win from start to finish " Wade said "We really came out and executed our game plan especially offensively " Russell Westbrook had 28 points and eight assists and Jerami Grant scored a season-high 15 points for the Thunder who lost their third straight overall and had their five-game home winning streak snapped Westbrook made 10 of 23 shots "You just gotta challenge every shot " Butler said "He s a hell of a player getting downhill at the basket He can make the outside shot and loves to get his teammates involved " It took until the fourth quarter for someone other than Westbrook to reach 10 points for the Thunder Oklahoma City shot just 38 percent from the field and made 10 of 37 3-pointers It was the second-worst loss of the season for Oklahoma City behind a 34point loss in Memphis "I don t think we were very good tonight especially on the defensive end of the floor " Thunder coach Billy Donovan said Butler scored 18 points in the first half to help the Bulls take a 55-47 lead at the break Chicago started the second half on a 17-4 run to take a 72-51 lead The Thunder trimmed the deficit to 14 but the Bulls bounced right back and led 94-73 at the end of the third quarter Westbrook played less than a minute in the fourth quarter sitting down for good with 8:14 remaining and the Bulls ahead 108-82 "We just try to pack the paint and make them make shots " Wade said "We were able to get them to miss some and go down and not see their defense all night and score a little in transition " TIP INS Chicago s Cristiano Felicio made a hook shot as time expired in the first quarter to put the Bulls up 21-20
C Robin Lopez was issued a technical foul in the third quarter
Thunder: C Enes Kanter missed his third consecutive game with a fractured right forearm He was on the bench with a cast on the arm
Chicago won 105-96 on Christmas Day last season in Oklahoma City
F Domantas Sabonis went 0 for 5 in the first half and finished 1 for 10 with two points
FAMILY TIES Bulls: G Jerian Grant and his brother Jerami were on opposing teams Jerian scored 12 points The game ended with Jerami playfully guarding Jerian Their father former NBA player Harvey Grant attended the game QUOTABLE Butler paraphrasing fictional super-villain Harvey Dent when asked why he s so outspoken: "In the wise words of Harvey Dent you either die the hero or you live long enough to become the goat It s an opportunity to be who I am " STAT LINES Oklahoma City s players other than Westbrook shot a combined 28 for 77 from the field UP NEXT The Bulls will play at the Houston Rockets on Friday The Thunder will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday 2017 02 02 02 29 By CL FF www char o eobserver com
Japan hits back at Trump charge that it is devaluing the yen
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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe his main lieutenant in the cabinet and Japan’s top foreign exchange official on Wednesday all pushed back against President Donald Trump’s assertion that Japan is keeping its currency devalued “Japan’s monetary policy is for the domestic purpose of beating deflation and isn’t done with FX in mind so I think that those remarks are a little bit wide of the mark ” said Masatsugu Asakawa the Finance Ministry’s foreign exchange policy chief Speaking in parliament Abe said that it is not accurate to say that Japan is devaluing the yen and that he would explain Japan’s monetary policy to Trump if necessary He said that it’s important to exchange views including thoughts on foreign exchange Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga earlier called Trump’s comments “totally inaccurate ” Trump on Tuesday said: “You look at what China’s doing you look at what Japan has done over the years They -- they play the money market they play the devaluation market and we sit there like a bunch of dummies ” according to a transcript in Congressional Quarterly
Earlier on Tuesday the Trump administration took aim at Germany saying it was gaming foreign-exchange markets Chancellor Angela Merkel rejected the accusation Donald Tusk the EU’s president placed the U S alongside Russia China and terrorism as a source of instability
“The change in Washington puts the European Union in a difficult situation with the new administration seeming to put into question the last 70 years of American foreign policy ” Tusk said in a letter to European leaders on Tuesday ahead of an EU summit on Feb 3 The barbs with Japan indicate likely friction points when Trump and Abe meet next week in the U S This isn’t the first time that Trump has raised the issue of Japan’s currency and relations with the U S On the campaign trail in 2015 he accused Japan of currency manipulation At a press conference on Jan 11 this year he said the U S has a “trade imbalance” with Japan
Asakawa added that Japan hasn’t recently intervened in the currency market “so without more explanation I am not sure what is being referred to ” The last time Japan intervened was in 2011 when the yen hit a postwar high in the aftermath of the Fukushima earthquake and nuclear meltdown Japan’s Finance Minister Taro Aso said in parliament on Tuesday that Trump had introduced “a new factor of uncertainty ” which could contribute to a weak yen and strong dollar for “some time ” Aso will accompany Abe and explain Japan’s foreign exchange and monetary policies to Trump in the U S next week according to a Reuters report citing a government source Japan’s government watches the currency markets with a sense of vigilance and acts with purpose when necessary Suga told reporters in Tokyo at the afternoon press briefing “It will be very important for Japan and the U S to reach mutual understanding on the economy and trade including the currency problems ” 2017 02 02 02 27 By Ma ko www pos gaze e com
Anthony Scaramucci won’t join White House official says
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WASHINGTON — Anthony Scaramucci an investment firm founder and a Republican donor will not be taking a senior job at the White House as previously announced a senior administration official said Wednesday Mr Scaramucci was informed on Wednesday by Reince Priebus President Donald Trump’s chief of staff and by Steve Bannon the president’s top strategist that he would not get the job as liaison to the business community Mr Priebus and Mr Bannon the official said plan to find another role in the administration for Mr Scaramucci in the future The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because Mr Scaramucci’s name had not officially been withdrawn
At issue is Mr Scaramucci’s sale of his firm SkyBridge Capital to a division of HNA Group a politically connected Chinese conglomerate that would become the firm’s majority owner The sale has not been completed and administration officials said the White House Counsel’s Office had predicted that it would take up to three months for Mr Scaramucci to be cleared of potential ethics conflicts
The White House is operating without a functioning Office of Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs which Mr Scaramucci would have led Part of the job is to help coordinate matters across government agencies a pressing need as protests over the president’s immigration order sweep the country The New York Times reported Tuesday that HNA Group has strong ties to China’s ruling Communist Party and an opaque ownership structure China experts say leading Chinese firms like HNA are looking for avenues of influence in a White House that is already stoking tensions on trade and other issues HNA a financial behemoth whose interests range from aviation to supermarkets has said that SkyBridge will give it a foothold in America’s asset management business The $180 billion deal could be finalized as late as the end of June To avoid conflicts of interest Mr Scaramucci had agreed to recuse himself from anything to do with SkyBridge and HNA One ethics lawyer suggested that he could have steered clear of the entire financial services sector and still carried out his duties “This does not seem to me to be a clear disqualifying factor ” said Richard W Painter the chief White House ethics lawyer for two years under President George W Bush “Another possibility is they decided not to keep him for a political reason and cited an ethics conflict as a cover ” This was not the first time that a West Wing nominee withdrew Mr Trump’s choice for communications director backed out as did a deputy National Security Council pick accused of plagiarism 2017 02 02 02 24 By Magg e www pos gaze e com
OPEC Russia spare Asia oil supply cuts in fight to hold market share
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By Henning Gloystein SINGAPORE Feb 2 (Reuters) - OPEC and non-OPEC producer Russia are shielding Asia from supply cuts agreed in a landmark deal last year as they fight to protect their share of the world s biggest and fastest growing oil market Instead they have reduced deliveries to Europe and the Americas as they implement a coordinated agreement to cut supply by about 1 8 million barrels per day (bpd) seeking to reduce a global supply glut and lift oil prices The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) oil supplies to Asia rose by 7 percent between November and January to 17 million bpd meeting two-thirds of the region s oil consumption data from Thomson Reuters Eikon showed Under a deal agreed last November OPEC pledged to cut production by around 1 2 million bpd in the first half of 2017 Other producers including Russia pledged to cut another 600 000 bpd "For OPEC and here we mean the Mideast countries Asia is their core and growing market " said Tushar Bansal director at Singapore-based consultancy Ivy Global Energy "The last thing OPEC would want is that as they develop newer markets outside the region some other players like Rosneft or Venezuela increase their market share in what is their backyard " While the OPEC and Russian cuts should eventually rebalance the market after a three-year glut it will be slower in Asia unless regional demand picks up In a sign of ongoing Asian oversupply Eikon data shows that around 30 chartered supertankers known as Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) are sitting in the waters outside Asia s oil trading hub of Singapore and southern Malaysia carrying about 55 million barrels of oil enough to meet almost five days of Chinese demand Asia has been the main source of global oil demand growth for the past two decades as consumption in economically developed nations has stagnated Therefore OPEC has raised its supply to Asia and Russia has also re-routed a great chunk of its rising production towards China and the Asia-Pacific over the past decade Russia surpassed Saudi Arabia as China s biggest supplier last year exporting 1 05 million bpd of crude versus Saudi Arabia s 1 02 million The increase in Asian deliveries contrasts with OPEC s global cut of over 1 million bpd in January surprising market watchers with a compliance rate of over 80 percent Russia the world s biggest oil producer also said it cut supplies by 100 000 bpd in January "Oil stocks are drawing especially in Europe In Asia strong demand is tightening the market but it will take time " said Oystein Berentsen managing director for crude at oil trading firm Strong Petroleum in Singapore For the moment data from the U S Energy Information Administration (EIA) suggests that global markets remain oversupplied with around 95 8 million bpd of demand being met by 96 4 million bpd of supply But given the cuts and an expected demand increase of up to 1 6 million bpd this year the global market will likely balance this year (Reporting by Henning Gloystein; Additional reporting by Florence Tan and Roslan Khasawneh in Singapore; Editing by Dmitry Zhdannikov and Christian Schmollinger) 2017 02 02 02 23 Reu ers www da yma co uk
House Dems want probe of intelligence chief's ties to Russia
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WASHINGTON — Top House Democrats called Wednesday for an investigation of President Donald Trump’s national security adviser over his ties to a Russian propaganda outlet They want the Pentagon to investigate whether Michael Flynn violated the Constitution by accepting payments from a government-controlled TV station in Russia Flynn is a retired Army lieutenant general and intelligence officer Flynn traveled in 2015 to Moscow where he joined Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials in a celebration of the RT network Flynn later explained he had been paid for taking part in the event but brushed aside concerns that he was aiding a Russian propaganda effort The top Democrats from six House Committees sent a letter to the Pentagon Wednesday seeking the investigation “It remains unclear how much Gen Flynn was paid for his dinner with Vladimir Putin whether he received additional payments from Russian or other foreign sources on separate occasions or whether he sought the approval of the Department of Defense or Congress to accept any of these payments ” the Democrats wrote Laura Seal a Pentagon spokeswoman declined to comment to The Associated Press She said the Pentagon would respond to the members of Congress The Emoluments Clause of the Constitution prohibits federal officeholders from accepting gifts from foreign governments The Defense Department warns that the prohibition applies to both active-duty and retired military In his position as national security adviser Flynn did not need to be confirmed by the Senate That means he was not subjected to the same kind of public scrutiny as Trump’s cabinet picks
The Democratic House members who sent the letter requesting the investigation were Reps Elijah Cummings of Maryland Adam Smith of Washington John Conyers Jr of Michigan Bennie Thompson of Mississippi Adam Schiff of California and Eliot Engel of New York 2017 02 02 02 21 By S ephen www pos gaze e com
Monahan scores 2 to lead Flames in 5-1 win over Wild
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Sean Monahan scored twice to lead the Calgary Flames to a 5-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night Deryk Engelland had a goal and an assist and Alex Chiasson and Micheal Ferland also scored to help the Flames win consecutive games after losing four straight Brian Elliott stopped 28 shots Jason Zucker scored and Devan Dubnyk finished with 31 saves for the Wild who had won three straight and five of their previous six overall Minnesota was also 12-0-2 in its last 14 road games Dubnyk who snapped a nine-game road winning streak had to be sharp early to stop back-to-back shots by Ferland and Lance Bouma while Elliott was forced to stand his ground to stop a snap shot fired his way by Zach Parise Rookie forward Matthew Tkachuk gave the Flames a spark 3 1/2 minutes into the game when he flattened Wild center Eric Staal with a shoulder check in the Calgary zone The Flames opened the scoring at 4:26 when Sam Bennett banked a shot off Chiasson s torso and past Dubnyk Monahan then put Calgary up 2-0 with a power-play goal at 8:09 Johnny Gaudreau tipped a pass from Troy Brouwer on net that Dubnyk kicked right to Monahan who put it in The Wild who outshot the Flames 13-9 in the opening 20 minutes had a pair of great chances to score on a late power play but Elliott turned aside one-time attempts by Mikko Koivu and Jared Spurgeon Parise appeared to pull Minnesota within a goal at 11:37 of the second when he jammed a loose puck in the crease into the net but the goal was disallowed because the veteran Wild forward made contact with Elliott Zucker tapped a backhand pass from Mikael Granlund past Elliott with 7:20 left in the period After blocking a shot in the defensive zone Zucker raced the length of the ice to score his 16th goal of the season Monahan scored his second of the game and team-leading 18th of the season at 6:19 of the third when he took a pass from Dennis Wideman and snapped a shot to the top corner over the left shoulder of Dubnyk who was screened by Brouwer on the play Engelland snapped a shot from the point through traffic past Dubnyk 1:36 later before Ferland rounded out the scoring with 6:13 to go NOTES: Granlund has recorded at least one point in 11 straight games to tie Chicago s Artem Anisimov for the longest streak in the NHL this season It s also a franchise record for the Wild Dec 19 with his assist on Monahan s first goal After allowing the first goal in nine straight games the Flames have now opened the scoring in their past two
Brouwer snapped a 10-game pointless drought dating back to
UP NEXT Wild: At Vancouver on Saturday in the middle game of a three-game trip to Canada Flames: At New Jersey on Friday night 2017 02 02 02 21 The Assoc a ed www char o eobserver com
Man hops over zoo fence to skip paying ticket gets mauled to death by tiger
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Another human casualty was recorded inside a zoo in the city of Ningbo in eastern China as a man was reportedly mauled to death by a tiger inside its enclosure According to BBC the unidentified victim known only as ‘Mr Zhang’ hopped over the Youngor Zoo’s 10-feet tall wall to avoid purchasing a ticket and unfortunately landed on the massive feline’s pen Immediately after dropping down into the enclosure Mr Zhang was attacked by one of the tigers while his associate—a man listed as Mr Li—witnessed the whole ordeal and did not follow Special forces unit from the local police were forced to shoot the tiger down in an effort to save the man’s life Mr Zhang however succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead upon arriving at the hospital The terrifying attack which occurred over the weekend took place in front of several park visitors and onlookers with some posting video clips and pictures of the mauling online A helpless man wearing a blue parka and black trousers can be seen lying on the ground while a massive tiger appears to have its jaws locked around his neck and head Two other tigers were present as well and were seen circling around the victim Several zoo officials also used firecrackers to scare off the beasts but failed to do so as only two ran off while the other one continued to maul the victim Visitors were evacuated from the zoo after the attack while the zoo remained closed thereafter for the rest of the week the report said After the gory scene officials found out that Mr Zhang along with his wife and two children visited the park together with Mr Li on Sunday The woman and children bought tickets and entered the park while the stingy men decided to scale the outer walls in an effort to get free accommodation Furthermore zoo officials added that there were several prominent warning signs posted around the park which reminds zoo-goers to never scale the iron fencing on top of the walls—to ensure the safety of both humans and animals The incident has since attracted widespread attention on Chinese social media Weibo with most users condemning the man and mourning the death of the magnificent beast “This visitor’s death by mauling really does not deserve any sympathy Tigers are the carnivorous kings of the jungle and hunting for food is their instinct who can you blame if you jump in and get attacked?” one user wrote A similar incident occurred in another zoo just last July when a tiger mauled a woman and her elderly mother inside a Beijing drive-through wildlife park A sad occurrence which gained international notoreity also happened in a Cincinnati zoo in May where a gorilla named Harambe was fatally shot down by zookeepers in order to save a young boy who accidentally fell into the enclosure Khristian Ibarrola RELATED STORY: US zoo kills gorilla after boy falls into enclosure 2017 02 02 02 21 Khr s an barro a news n o nqu rer ne
Bringing The Celebration Out Of The Shadows
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On Thursday Punxsutawney Phil will predict whether there will be six more weeks of winter or an early spring Jeff Swensen/Getty Images hide caption On Thursday Punxsutawney Phil will predict whether there will be six more weeks of winter or an early spring As the legend goes if the famed groundhog Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his burrow on Feb 2 and sees his shadow we get another six weeks of winter If he climbs out of that hole and no shadow is cast we are rewarded with an early spring But why is a groundhog predicting the weather for us in the first place? Here are a few tidbits of information about groundhogs and the day that celebrates their meteorological skills Predicting new weather came from old tradition A celebration of future weather conditions existed long before groundhogs were involved Originally the idea for it sprang from the ancient Christian celebration Candlemas Day It fell between the winter solstice and the spring equinox and clergy would bless candles and pass them out to people Like Groundhog Day if the day was sunny people could expect a longer winter And if the day was cloudy warm weather was soon to come Eventually a hedgehog was brought into the mix only to be later switched out for a groundhog In the 1880s however groundhogs served as both the celebration and a meal : Members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club hosted the annual February celebration along with a groundhog hunt in the summer But as Phil rose in popularity he moved off the menu It s not just Phil and it s not all about weather From Pennsylvania s less famous Grover the Groundhog to North Carolina s Sir Walter Wally to New York s Staten Island Chuck there is no shortage of groundhogs called on to predict the weather Washington D C even has Potomac Phil a stuffed groundhog though it s unclear how a dead groundhog is able to see his shadow But while we re focused on the weather it turns out there s another reason male groundhogs pop their heads out their holes on Feb 2 Stam Zervanos emeritus professor of biology at Penn State Berks in Reading Pa told National Geographic that these guys are looking for love: "At this time of year males emerge from their burrows to start searching for the females The females come out probably seven days later and stay just outside of their burrow or maybe just inside their burrow " After the male groundhogs lock down the address for their fave female groundhog everyone heads back to their own house to burrow in some more As Zervanos told National Geographic : "In March they all emerge together and that s when mating occurs The males know exactly where the females are [so] mating can occur very rapidly " Crunching the numbers Punxsutawney Phil is by far the most famous among these rodents as his predictions are heard around the country But how accurate are his forecasts? Since 1988 Phil s predictions have only been correct about 46 percent of the time according to USA Today In comparison Staten Island Chuck s accuracy rate of 80 percent is nearly double that of Phil s In 2009 Staten Island Zoo s Doug Schwartz told Time that Phil may be more popular but Chuck had better numbers "You want accurate readings you go to Chuck " he told the reporter A marker for Groundhog Day describes the process Eddie~S/Flickr hide caption A marker for Groundhog Day describes the process But the members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club s Inner Circle who care for Phil and help plan the event every year claim he is correct 100 percent of the time The language and many lives of Punxsutawney Phil According to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club the chubby rodent we see every year on Feb 2 is the same one that has been making predictions for more than 131 years (We have no idea how they both ate Phil back in the day and kept him alive for nearly two centuries too ) Every summer Phil takes a sip of the "elixir of life" — a secret recipe of course — and it gives him seven additional years of life Maybe he s used that extra time to perfect his "Groundhogese " a language only understood by the president of the group s Inner Circle The current president Bill Deeley has been a member of the club since 1986 Each year Phil whispers his prediction to Deeley who then translates it for the world Last year Phil told Deeley that springtime warmth was on its way Now we wait for the weather whisper of 2017 Cecilia Mazanec is a Digital News intern 2017 02 02 02 19 Cec a Mazanec www npr org
Watch angry Zebra’s vicious attack on zoo worker in heart stopping video — RT Viral
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Recorded at the Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou northwest of Hong Kong the man can be seen being dragged by the arm across the ground while fellow workers chase after the pair It is not known how recently the incident occurred although it’s understood the man suffered only minor injuries after his colleagues intervened and were able to free the man after a couple of minutes according to the Shanghaiist The video was released just days after another video emerged showing a man being mauled to death during an hour long tiger attack at Youngor Wildlife Park in Ningbo READ MORE: Tourist mauled to death in brutal hour-long tiger attack in Chinese zoo (GRAPHIC VIDEO) The unfortunate individual reportedly scaled the wall of the attraction with the intention of avoiding the entrance fee only to end up surrounded by the vicious cats 2017 02 02 02 19 www r com
Boatwright's return leads USC past Washington 82-74
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Bennie Boatwright scored 23 points in his first game in more than two months De Anthony Melton added 16 points and Southern California rallied in the second half for an 82-74 win over Washington on Wednesday night Playing for the first time since suffering a knee injury on Nov 30 Boatwright came off the bench to spark USC s rally from a 10-point halftime deficit Boatwright made 7 of 10 shots including a pair of 3-pointers He also had four assists and played just 21 minutes Melton added seven rebounds six assists and six steals and the Trojans (19-4 6-4 Pac-12) shot 68 percent in the second half winning their third straight and avoiding a lull after last week s win over rival UCLA Markelle Fultz led Washington (9-13 2-8) with 20 points but the Huskies lost their fourth straight For the second straight game Washington was unable to hold on to a halftime lead This one was their own fault as Washington committed nine turnovers and shot 39 percent in the second half and had a scoreless streak of more than four minutes where USC went on a 13-0 run to take control
USC pulled within 66-65 on Boatwright s rebound basket with 5:12 remaining and took the lead on the next possession Fultz missed a 3 and Boatwright beat the Huskies down the court for a layup while being fouled The 3-point play gave USC a 68-66 lead its first since 27-25 late in the first half Melton added a jumper on USC s next possession and the lead was 70-66 with 3:59 left Out of a timeout Washington committed its eighth turnover of the half and Jordan McLaughlin s fast-break layup capped the 13-0 spurt Washington got within 72-71 on Matisse Thybulle s 3-pointer with 1:47 left but Chimezie Metu scored inside and Thybulle rimmed out a 3-pointer with 55 seconds left that could have pulled Washington even Metu finished with 15 points and McLaughlin added 13 for the Trojans Noah Dickerson had 17 points and nine rebounds and David Crisp added 16 points for the Huskies BIG PICTURE USC: Boatwright made his first appearance since injuring his left knee just moments into the Trojans win over San Diego in late November Boatwright who averaged 11 5 points as a freshman was averaging 10 8 points before getting hurt Washington: The Huskies got just one point from their bench players and was outscored 20-9 at the free-throw line UP NEXT USC: The Trojans play at Washington State on Saturday Washington: The Huskies host No 11 UCLA on Saturday 2017 02 02 02 15 By T M www char o eobserver com
Chinese police arrest 14 suspects after 1 million yuan stolen from passengers in flight update scam
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Chinese police have detained 14 people suspected of stealing more than one million yuan (HK$1 12 million) from unsuspecting air passengers after sending them bogus last-minute flight updates asking for their bank details mainland media reported One victim of the scam had 43 000 yuan instantly transferred from his account the news website Xkb com cn reported Guangzhou police made the arrests in Danzhou Hainan province and Zhongshan Guangdong province on January 15 after investigating 34 different incidents of money being stolen from the bank accounts of airline passengers A victim surnamed Feng received a text message on his mobile phone last November informing him that the flight he was due to take the next day from Guangzhou to Urumqi had been cancelled owing to a technical problem with the aircraft The message which claimed to have been sent by the airline and provided correct details including his full name and flight details said affected passengers would be given 300 yuan in compensation Feng rang a customer service phone number given in the message and was asked by the person answering the call to go to an ATM machine to carry out a refund procedure which included inputting a particular security code However police were quoted as saying in the report that the code number was actually the amount of money to be withdrawn from the bank accounts of the unsuspecting passengers Feng called police immediately when he checked his bank account after the refund procedure and noticed that 43 000 yuan was missing and he had only 1 000 yuan left in his account The report did not explain how the suspects had obtained the telephone numbers or flight information of the victims Police advised the public to be aware of similar scams especially around the Lunar New Year holiday period when an estimated 2 98 billion trips were expected to be made by mainland travellers People were advised to always contact airline companies by using telephone numbers shown on official websites the report said 2017 02 02 02 14 K n ng Lo www scmp com
Michigan recruit Oliver Martin ready to play at 'high level'
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IOWA CITY Ia — There was a poster on Oliver Martin’s table at his high school s signing day event Wednesday On it: a photo-shopped picture of him wearing the quintessential maize-and-blue Wolverines uniform with the bright yellow facemask covering the slightest of smiles on his face Those are colors he ll be wearing a lot now Martin announced his commitment to Michigan via Twitter Monday night ending a frenetic stretch of three weeks when much of the college football recruiting world analyzed his every move "I’m just excited to be going " he said smiling
Martin the top prospect in Iowa chose Michigan over Iowa Notre Dame Michigan State Ohio State Florida and UCLA The Wolverines pushed hard in the final weeks of his recruitment specifically after hiring Pep Hamilton their new passing game coordinator The Wolverines secured Martin’s final official visit this past weekend signaling to many that he’d sign with them He committed during the visit and waited a couple days before going public on Monday "I want to play as soon as I can " he said "I want to develop there and play at a high level and quality I want to try to get a shot for the NFL potentially If you’re going to play in college that should be one of your goals to get to the NFL And then develop in my career choice " In its most recent rankings update 247Sports lists Martin as the No 42 prospect nationally in the 2017 class Martin joins a stacked incoming receiver class for Michigan featuring five-star Donovan Peoples-Jones four-star Tarik Black four-star Nico Collins and three-star Brad Hawkins
"He stands shoulder to shoulder with every one of those players " said Garrett Hartwig Martin s head football coach at Iowa City West "He proved that he is one of the best receivers in the country And I’ll also say he’s one of the best teammates that those guys could possibly have as well Because he is a team player and a talented man at that and he’s going to be a huge asset "
Martin leaves Iowa City West as the state s all-time receptions leader (239) and Class 4A s all-time leader in receiving yards (3 449) and receiving touchdowns (33) Martin led Iowa prep football this year with 1 272 receiving yards on 85 catches He caught 14 touchdowns and scored on a punt return and a kick return Matthew Bain covers preps recruiting and the Hawkeyes for the Iowa City Press-Citizen Des Moines Register and HawkCentral Contact him at mbain@gannett com and follow him on Twitter @MatthewBain_ 2017 02 02 02 14 Ma hew Ba n rss eeds reep com
Australian PM orders Department of Defence to look elsewhere after backlash against foreign military training plan
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Malcolm Turnbull has ordered the Department of Defence to find alternative sites for foreign military training in Queensland after uproar over plans to take over as many as 60 grazing properties in prime cattle country The state opposition leader Tim Nicholls on Thursday said the prime minister intervened after a over the prospect of compulsory acquisitions revealed months after an election campaign in which the federal government trumpeted a US$2 2bn training deal with Singapore The controversy prompted Nicholls to write to Turnbull imploring him to step in after what he said was defence’s mishandling of the proposed training site expansion at Shoalwater Bay and near Townsville The federal opposition leader Bill Shorten wrote to Turnbull on Wednesday calling for him to urgently review the matter and explain what “alternatives to acquiring prime grazing land” had been considered Nicholls’ statement raised doubts about what other options defence which has compulsory land acquisition powers had explored to date for expanding training bases to host 14 000 Singapore troops a year He said Turnbull had told him during a “lengthy conversation that he has ordered the defence department to scout alternative areas for expanded military training grounds earmarked for central Queensland farming land” “We need good relations with allies such as Singapore and the expansion would provide a significant economic boost to local communities but it is equally important to look after our farmers and graziers ” Nicholls accused the Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and senator Pauline Hanson of “squabbling publicly about this issue to get a headline” saying “only the Queensland LNP has actually taken the fight to Canberra and got a commitment to find a compromise solution” The state agriculture minister Bill Byrne a former military commander at Shoalwater Bay said Turnbull’s pledge that alternative sites would be examined raised the question “who’s in the firing line now?” “A big question also remains for the graziers in Charters Towers ” Byrne said “This has been a shemozzle from the beginning and there are still big questions to be answered ” Byrne called on the deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce to bring forward his trip to central Queensland to update local farmers on what is happening with the Turnbull government’s plans for Shoalwater Bay The LNP this week joined state and federal Labor Katter’s Australian party and One Nation in publicly criticising the process for the land expansion after the federal government signed the deal with Singapore in May last year to train 14 000 of its troops The parties all warned the loss of drought-resistant grazing land in areas that contain up to 100 000 head of cattle would have a dramatic and harmful impact on the beef industry In November landholders in the Marlborough and Charters Towers regions first learned of the possibility their properties would be acquired in letters from defence which had planned an expansion of about 170 000 hectares Defence is yet to decide which properties it will target but the defence minister Marise Payne recently ordered the process be sped up with those plans to be revealed next month Those under pressure include federal backbencher Michelle Landry whose central Queensland seat of Capricornia is one of the nation’s most marginal Shorten in his letter to Turnbull said the government was “yet to satisfactorily make the case for the acquisition of prime agricultural land to support expansion of the existing training area” “I’m very concerned that the views of local people appear to have been sidelined in your government’s rush to announce this arrangement before the election ” he said “Not only were locals not consulted they were completely left in the dark about the potential impacts of this acquisition before the election ” Shorten said Payne’s decision to fast-track the announcement about compulsory acquisitions had “heightened community fears that detailed consideration of all social economic and environmental issues will not occur and that the land to be acquired is a foregone conclusion” Shorten who met landholders in Rockhampton last week said Labor supported military cooperation with Singapore However the government had to explain “what other land options it has considered and on what basis have these been ruled as unsuitable” “Surely there are other alternatives to acquiring prime grazing land ” A spokeswoman for Turnbull was contacted for comment 2017 02 02 02 13 The Guard an www scmp com
Professionals of color move here for work Why don’t they stay? – Twin Cities
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Professionals of color are willing to move to the Twin Cities for work — more willing than their white non-Hispanic colleagues But they’re also more likely to leave And it’s not because of our winters It’s because we’re not diverse and we’re not culturally aware
Those are the findings of new research announced Wednesday at a gathering of 200 business and civic leaders concerned with the problem And it is a problem those behind the research say because our region is growing more diverse a workforce shortage is looming and the need to retain professionals of color is increasing “Across ages backgrounds and ethnicities professionals of color cited the region’s lack of diversity and cultural awareness as the top reason to leave ” according to Janine Sanders Jones a professor at the University of St Thomas’ Opus College of Business who conducted the research In the words of one professional surveyed in the project: “It is a culmination of factors; transplants find that natives are more insular existing within their own networks The door is automatically closed ”
The research was conducted via an initiative called “Make It MSP ” That’s an initiative to attract and retain professionals and an outgrowth of Greater MSP a nonprofit with the goal of increasing jobs and investment in the region Those involved include representatives from companies like Ecolab and U S Bank to agencies like the St Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Twin Cities United Way To get at why minority professionals are more likely to leave than whites the research team conducted focus groups and surveyed 1 228 minority professionals Among the findings: Figuring out how to address the problem will be the goal of Make It MSP moving forward Related Articles St Paul chamber president Matt Kramer stepping down Hormel ends supplies from Oklahoma farm after animal rights video Explore Minnesota celebrates tourism’s contributions to the state Chicago popcorn maker Garrett buying Frango mints brand Delta operations returning to normal after systems outage “Given the Greater MSP region is facing a projected workforce shortage of roughly 100 000 people by 2020 improving our performance is not only a social imperative but an economic necessity ” the report concludes 2017 02 02 02 13 Dave Orr ck www w nc es com
Sony Reports Weak Q3 Earnings as Foreign Exchange Write-Down Take Toll
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A weak yen massive write-down and slow holiday season at the box office put a wrench in Sony’s third quarter as the Japanese conglomerate reported significant declines in revenue and profit Thursday afternoon in Tokyo
Sony reported revenue of $20 6 billion and earnings of 13 cents a share for the three months ended Dec 31 which is the company’s fiscal third quarter Revenue was down 7 percent compared with the corresponding period last year while earnings were down 84 percent in yen terms Analysts expected $22 4 billion in revenue and earnings of 38 cents a share Sony’s week began when it announced it would be taking a $962 million write-down tied to its motion picture division based on reduced expectations for the home entertainment division an accounting move that may make it easier to attract an investor or even buyer for the struggling studio That accounted for the bulk of the company’s substantial dip in profit Also Read: What Does Sony $1 Billion Write-Down Mean?
Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton announced earlier this month that he is stepping down to focus on his role as chairman of Snapchat parent Snap Inc which is preparing for an IPO Lynton’s exit comes on the heels of several other high-level executive departures including TV chairman Steve Mosko and Sony Pictures co-chair Amy Pascal who left shortly after the studio was hacked in late 2014
The studio has had some success with TV such as Golden Globe winning Netflix series “The Crown ” but Sony placed just fifth among all major studios last year with 8 percent market share — its lowest this millennium And while Sony Pictures had a holiday blockbuster in 2015 with “Spectre ” the studio did not have a repeat performer this year But the $962 million goodwill impairment charge was the main reason Sony’s studio plunged to a $920 million loss
Sony’s semiconductor business was a bright spot growing its revenue 17 percent and operating income 28 percent year-over-year But foreign exchange rates hurt many of its other business segments including home entertainment which dipped 12 percent in revenue and 17 percent in profits year-over-year Read original story Sony Reports Weak Q3 Earnings as Foreign Exchange Write-Down Take Toll At TheWrap 2017 02 02 02 12 Ma Pressberg www s ga e com
NBA Capsules
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With dad Dell watching live Stephen Curry hit 11 3-pointers and scored 39 points in three quarters coming back with vengeance from a one-game absence while ill and leading the Golden State Warriors to a 126-111 blowout of his hometown Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night Klay Thompson added 29 points matched his career high with eight assists and Kevin Durant had 18 points eight rebounds and eight assists for the NBA-leading Warriors (42-7) Curry recorded his fifth career game with at least 11 3s shot 14 for 20 and 11 of 15 from long range and dished out eight assists facing Charlotte for the second time in exactly a week Frank Kaminsky scored 24 points off the bench for the Hornets who lost their sixth in a row overall and ninth straight on the road CAVALIERS 125 TIMBERWOLVES 97 CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James scored 27 points Kyrie Irving had 14 and a career-high 14 assists and the Cleveland Cavaliers coming off a losing record in January defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves Cleveland which went 7-8 last month began February looking like the defending NBA champions The Cavaliers held a three-point halftime lead and took control midway through the third quarter James three-point play gave the Cavaliers a 90-70 lead Cleveland All-Star forward Kevin Love missed his second straight game because of back spasms but the Cavaliers had five players in double figures in scoring James was 11 of 14 from the field and Irving scored 14 points Kyle Korver who has struggled since being acquired from Atlanta last month scored 20 points going 8 of 11 from the field and hitting four 3-pointers Tristan Thompson had 18 points and 14 rebounds Karl-Anthony Towns led Minnesota with 26 points and Andrew Wiggins added 23 for the Timberwolves who won five of six to finish January CELTICS 109 RAPTORS 104 BOSTON (AP) — Isaiah Thomas scored 19 of his 44 points in the final quarter to lift the Boston Celtics over the Toronto Raptors in a showdown for first place in the Atlantic Division It was the fifth straight win for Boston which moved 1 ½ games ahead of the Raptors in the division and holds the Eastern Conference s No 2 seed Kyle Lowry led Toronto with 32 points former Celtic Jared Sullinger had 13 and Norman Powell added 12 The Raptors have lost seven of nine In a final quarter that rivaled playoff intensity Celtics forward Jaylen Brown was fouled on a breakaway attempt and walked over and had words with Lowry — before a few others player joined in and had to be separated by the officials Boston s Terry Rozier and the Raptors DeMarre Carroll were each given a technical HEAT 116 HAWKS 93 MIAMI (AP) — Goran Dragic scored 27 points Dion Waiters added 20 and the Miami Heat pushed the NBA s longest current winning streak to nine games by easing past the Atlanta Hawks Hassan Whiteside scored 18 points and grabbed 18 rebounds for the Heat who hadn t won nine straight since November 2013 James Johnson scored 16 before getting ejected in the fourth quarter for Miami Kent Bazemore scored 14 and Dennis Schroder scored 12 for the Hawks Atlanta s Taurean Prince was ejected midway through the fourth quarter for pulling Whiteside down from behind and being assessed a flagrant-2 James Johnson retaliated in Whiteside s defense and was ejected after getting a technical PISTONS 118 PELICANS 98 AUBURN HILLS Mich (AP) — Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored a career-high 38 points leading the Detroit Pistons over the New Orleans Pelicans Tobias Harris added 19 points and Andre Drummond 17 for the Pistons who ended an eight-game losing streak to New Orleans Detroit had lost three in a row overall New Orleans blew a nine-point lead in the third quarter and lost its third straight and fourth in five games Anthony Davis who scored a career-high 59 points last February at Detroit had 31 points and 12 rebounds while Jrue Holliday added 22 points and 11 assists KNICKS 95 NETS 90 NEW YORK (AP) — Kristaps Porzingis had 19 points and 12 rebounds and joined a group of mostly substitutes who led a big fourth-quarter turnaround that carried the New York Knicks over the Brooklyn Nets Carmelo Anthony had 15 points for the Knicks but he was on the bench for the entire fourth quarter after shooting 6 for 22 from the field Instead the Knicks rallied behind Willy Hernangomez who had 16 points and 16 rebounds and Sasha Vujacic who made team history by converting a pair of four-point plays in the game The only other starter on the floor for the comeback was Brandon Jennings — and he was only starting because point guard Derrick Rose remained out with a sprained ankle Rondae Hollis-Jefferson scored 16 for the Nets who lost their seventh straight and fell to 0-9 against Atlantic Division opponents this season PACERS 98 MAGIC 88 ORLANDO Fla (AP) — C J Miles scored 16 points Glenn Robinson III added 14 and the Indiana Pacers held on to beat the Orlando Magic The Pacers used their smaller lineup and timely 3-point shooting to keep the struggling Magic from rallying Orlando didn t have an answer for Miles 3-point shooting including a trey that pushed the lead to 96-88 in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter Orlando moved within five points a few times in the final period but could not come any closer Jeff Teague had 13 points and nine assists and was 8 for 9 from the free-throw line to join six Pacers in double figures Serge Ibaka led five Magic players in double figures with 20 points The Pacers have defeated their former coach Frank Vogel four straight times this season MAVERICKS 113 76ERS 95 DALLAS (AP) — Seth Curry scored 22 points Salah Mejri had 16 points and a career-high 17 rebounds and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Philadelphia 76ers for their fifth win in six games Mejri played 21 minutes at center with Andrew Bogut out of action and helped Dallas — the NBA s worst-rebounding team — set a season high for boards and outrebound the Sixers 51-39 He scored 10 points all on dunks early in the fourth quarter to help the Mavericks lead by 22 Jahlil Okafor led the 76ers with 16 points and Ersan Ilyasova added 13 Philadelphia played without starters Robert Covington (bruised right hand) and Joel Embiid (left knee contusion) CLIPPERS 124 SUNS 114 PHOENIX (AP) — Blake Griffin scored 29 points and the Los Angeles Clippers bounced back from a humiliating 46-point loss at Golden State to beat the Phoenix Suns The victory over the team with the worst record in the West left Los Angeles 2-4 since Chris Paul went down with a torn left thumb ligament Raymond Felton added 18 points and J Redick 16 for the Clippers Los Angeles never trailed but Phoenix cut the lead to two four times and was down by just one at 94-93 with 10:26 to play Eric Bledsoe scored 41 to tie the career high he set two games ago but Phoenix lost its fifth in a row Devin Booker added 20 points his 14th straight game scoring at least 20 The Clippers DeAndre Jordan drew a flagrant foul two for flattening Phoenix s Marquese Chriss and was ejected with 4:52 left in the third quarter GRIZZLIES 119 NUGGETS 99 DENVER (AP) — Marc Gasol scored 24 points Mike Conley had 18 and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the short-handed Denver Nuggets Memphis led for most of the game and won its third in a row
Emmanuel Mudiay had 14 points seven assists and six rebounds in his return to the Nuggets lineup Denver came into the game without Nikola Jokic (left hip flexor strain) and Will Barton (left ankle soreness) and then lost two more players before the night ended Point guard Jameer Nelson was ejected just 4:07 into the game leaving the Nuggets with three guards and leading scorer Danilo Gallinari exited late in the third quarter with a left groin strain The Grizzlies took advantage of a tired Nuggets team that lost on the road to the Lakers on Tuesday They led by 16 in the first half and increased it to 19 in the third when Gasol had 10 points JAZZ 104 BUCKS 88 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Rudy Gobert scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds leading the Utah Jazz to an easy victory over the Milwaukee Bucks The double-double was Gobert s 33rd of the season for the Jazz who also got 27 points from Gordon Hayward Utah took a 61-43 lead into halftime after dominating the second quarter The Jazz allowed the Bucks to score consecutive baskets just once in the second 12 minutes and their 31 points tied for the third-most they have scored in the second quarter this season Gobert scored 15 of those 31 The Bucks shot well from 3-point range in the first quarter going 5 for 8 but were just 4 for 15 the rest of the night Jabari Parker paced the Bucks with 17 points BULLS 128 THUNDER 100 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Jimmy Butler scored 28 points to help the Chicago Bulls rout the Oklahoma City Thunder Dwyane Wade had 18 points and seven assists for the Bulls who shot 60 percent from the field overall and 68 percent in the second half Russell Westbrook had 28 points and eight assists and Jerami Grant scored a season-high 15 points for the Thunder who lost their third straight overall and had their five-game home winning streak snapped It took until the fourth quarter for someone other than Westbrook to reach 10 points for the Thunder Oklahoma City shot just 38 percent from the field and made 10 of 37 3-pointers It was the second-worst loss of the season for Oklahoma City behind a 34point loss in Memphis 2017 02 02 02 09 The Assoc a ed www char o eobserver com
Missouri governor to propose budget amid financial strain
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Missouri Gov Eric Greitens on Thursday is to spell out how he would like to spend the state s multibillion-dollar budget during a visit to a Nixa public school a break from past governors traditional announcements during Capitol speeches "This address in Nixa is a reminder of who we re fighting for " Greitens said Tuesday in a Facebook post "We re fighting for the kids in towns and cities across our state who don t have a lobbyist " Greitens said his budget will protect priorities to create jobs public safety and education despite being "asked to do more with less " His announcement will come during what s shaping up to be a challenging time for state finances Revenues this fiscal year have come in below what the last governor and Legislature estimated and Missouri s corporate income tax revenues were down by more than 25 percent through the first half of the budget year Part of that may be attributable to a tax law change approved by the Legislature that allows multi-state corporations to allocate their profits differently The Republican governor s Facebook post also raised concerns with money going to "insider tax credits and costly health care spending" — likely meaning Medicaid Greitens who took office in January already has cut roughly $146 million to balance this year s budget His predecessor Democratic Gov Jay Nixon cut about $200 million before leaving office This is Greitens first year crafting a state budget He broke from tradition and did not propose a spending plan during his Jan 17 State of the State address at the Capitol Greitens delay puts lawmakers on an accelerated timeline to review his proposal and send their own plan to his desk by the May 5 deadline Greitens has the power to accept or veto the budget bills He also can veto specific line-item spending programs from the final budget passed by the Legislature 2017 02 02 02 09 The Assoc a ed www henews r bune com
Norway surprised by Russia’s entry visa rejections to delegates blacklisted months ago — RT News
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An official note containing the same objections preceded the ambassador’s summoning “The Foreign Ministry today summoned the Russian ambassador to repeat the protests ” the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday Norway’s Foreign Minister Børge Brende condemned Russia’s denial of the visas in strong terms The rejected legislators are Bård Vegar Solhjell the leader of Norway’s Socialist Left party and Trine Skei Grande the leader of the country’s Liberal Party “These are two distinguished top-level Norwegian officials excellent representatives of Norway ” Brende told the reporters saying “it’s incomprehensible that they not be allowed to enter Russia ” Although the minister acknowledged that Russia has the right to determine who can enter the country saying that it’s “obviously up to every country to decide who can enter ” he slammed the denial as “biased unreasonable and inconceivable ” The Russian embassy in Oslo has confirmed that the visa requests were rejected as a part of a “mirror response” to Norway adopting the same sanctions that the EU has imposed on Russian citizens as well as policies discriminating against Russian citizens who want to visit Spitsbergen island The list of officials from the EU and other countries who have been banned from entering Russia was provided to Brussels well ahead of time with advice to inform all those affected a Russian embassy spokesman stressed Norway’s FM himself has admitted that the denials were something to be “expected” and that Norway’s reaction to the visa rejections thus appears quite surprising Coincidently the outrage over Russia’s “hostile actions” came just hours after the country’s Police Security Service (PST) determined that Russia poses a “major threat” to Norway along with Islamism READ MORE: Norway likely winner from OPEC-Russia oil production cuts Norway joined the EU’s sanctions against Russia and Russian citizens back in 2014 in response to what it called “Russia’s violations of human rights in Ukraine ” The situation escalated in April of 2015 when Russia’s Deputy PM Dmitry Rogozin visited Norway’s Island of Spitsbergen while on a trip to open the ‘North Pole-2015’ station Norwegian authorities were riled by the visit as Rogozin was on Europe’s anti-Russia sanction list Norway then adopted a measure authorizing the immediate deportation of sanctioned Russian citizens from the archipelago Though Russia’s Foreign Ministry has protested the regulation calling it discriminatory and in violation of an agreement on international cooperation on Spitsbergen it was made permanent last September 2017 02 02 02 07 www r com
Column: Goodell makes it clear odds are against Las Vegas
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Roger Goodell s position on Las Vegas is evolving Now he can at least say the city s name without a look of disgust spreading across his face Actually the look may be more of a knowing smile now that the deal to move the Oakland Raiders to Sin City is teetering precariously on the verge of collapse The sudden withdrawal of casino operator Sheldon Adelson from the grand plan he and Raiders owner Mark Davis hatched to move the team to Las Vegas made it a lot easier for Goodell to evade er answer questions about it Wednesday at his annual meeting with the media Just why Adelson pulled out his $650 million pledge toward a new stadium depends on who you ask The multi-billionaire who put together the proposal to lure the Raiders to a new $1 9 billion stadium indicated it was because Davis pulled a fast one by trying to negotiate stadium terms without him but it could be that he saw both Davis and the league trying to push him to the sidelines It s clear that even in a new age of semi-enlightenment toward sports betting among the major sports leagues the NFL is still wary about doing business with the people the league has waged war with for more than a half century That means no ownership share for a casino owner It apparently also means no stadium financing by anyone connected to sports betting either "I don t see an ownership position in a team from a casino " Goodell said "That is not something consistent with our policies Not likely a stadium either " That puts Goodell at odds with a few of the higher profile owners in the league who have all but given their blessing to Las Vegas Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft don t see a lot wrong with someone in the casino business being involved with a team though there are some owners who remain rooted against anything that has to do with gambling Never mind that the president of the United States is a former casino operator Or that Goodell himself grudgingly acknowledged that things are changing when it comes to the relationship of sports and gambling It s happening today " Goodell said "It s sponsored by governments It exists throughout our world What we have always said is we need to make sure that there s a fine line between team sports gambling and the NFL We want to protect the integrity of our game and that s the line we will always do " Translate that and it means that even the best stadium deal won t be good enough for the Raiders to move to Las Vegas if there is betting on the team in the gambling city Translate that and it likely means Davis either needs to work harder for a new stadium in Oakland or perhaps set his sights on San Diego In a way the looming collapse of the yearlong effort to move the Raiders to Las Vegas isn t terribly surprising There were always going to be obstacles in the way especially with Goodell seemingly intent on taking the high moral ground when it comes to sports betting The commissioner doesn t hold all the power in a league of 32 owners who all have their own ideas about how things should play out But as he showed in going up against Kraft in "Deflategate " he holds enough power to get in the minds of enough owners to block a move to Las Vegas should he choose Remember this is a league so frightened by sports betting that it refused for years to even allow Las Vegas to run a commercial during the Super Bowl A league headed by a commissioner who has made no secret of his distaste for both betting and Las Vegas Davis says he plans to go ahead with his plan to move the team to Las Vegas though he ll now have to find someone with deep pockets to add to the $750 million the Nevada legislature promised for a stadium just off the glittering Strip That makes it unlikely the move will be voted on at the owner s meeting next month as originally envisioned by the Raiders and any delay could unravel the deal quickly Indeed what looked like a done deal when Davis made a formal application to move the team last month now looks no better than a bet on a hard eight on a craps table at Adelson s Venetian casino The odds have shifted and Goodell can t help but smile 2017 02 02 02 05 By T M www char o eobserver com
Griffin scores 29 Clippers bounce back to beat Suns 124-114
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A game against the Phoenix Suns was just what the embarrassed and short-handed Los Angeles Clippers needed And even that wasn t all that easy Blake Griffin scored 29 points in his third game back from injury and the Clippers bounced back from a humiliating 46-point loss at Golden State to beat the Suns 124-114 on Wednesday night The victory over the team with the worst record in the West left Los Angeles 2-4 since Chris Paul went down with a torn left thumb ligament Raymond Felton added 18 points and J Redick 16 for the Clippers
"Right now we are scrambling for each win " Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers said "That is the mode we have been in We have been in that mode We have been playing without Blake We have been playing without both of them for a while Now we get Blake back but it takes him time We are just in the mode of survival " Griffin missed 18 games recovering from a right knee procedure Los Angeles never trailed but Phoenix cut the lead to two four times and was down by just one at 94-93 with 10:26 to play Eric Bledsoe scored 41 to tie the career high he set two games ago but Phoenix lost its fifth in a row Devin Booker added 20 points his 14th straight game scoring at least 20
"I was proud how we stuck with it " Griffin said "At times we let up defensively and didn t execute the way we want it to But with the adversity DJ going out them playing real hard and E Bled (Bledsoe) having a fantastic game I was proud the way we stuck with it and dug it out at the end " The Clippers DeAndre Jordan drew a flagrant foul two for flattening Phoenix s Marquese Chriss and was ejected with 4:52 left in the third quarter "I didn t agree with it at all " Jordan said "I tried to go for the ball but I couldn t get it and got his arm I am 6-11 280 pounds If I flagrant-2 somebody they are probably not going to get up afterward " Los Angeles led by as many as 14 early in the third quarter and was up 83-71 when Jordan left The Suns came back to twice cut it to two late in the third quarter Bledsoe s reverse layup in traffic cut it to 90-88 with 10 seconds left but Brandon Bass jumper put the Clippers up 98-88 entering the fourth quarter P J Tucker s 3-pointer made it a one-point game 94-93 with 10:26 to play But Bass who didn t play in the first half sank a jumper and made two free throws and Los Angeles led 98-93 Phoenix stayed close for a while and was down 109-106 after Bledsoe s three-point play with 3:50 left But Redick banked in a 3-pointer from the top of the key to make it 112-106 and Felton s 3 with 2:15 to play pretty much sealed the win Los Angeles was up 45-34 in the second quarter when Marreese Speights scored inside with 8:50 left But a Phoenix lineup mostly of reserves led by Leandro Barbosa narrowed the gap Phoenix scored the last seven points of the half five by Bledsoe to cut the lead to 62-59 at the break Bledsoe had eight assists and four rebounds to go with his 41-point performance "I think Bledsoe is playing at an elite level " Suns coach Earl Watson said "so we have to make sure moving forward our team everything we do we cannot waste his valuable time "So Bledsoe is at an elite level Book is coming up he s playing at that level also " Now Watson said he needs complementary players so the Suns can "just capture this momentum that those two have in the backcourt " TIP-INS Clippers: Rivers made his team on Monday watch its 46-point loss at Golden State
The Clippers are 3-0 against Phoenix this season two without Paul
UP NEXT Clippers: Los Angeles returns home for a rematch with the Warriors who routed the Clippers at Golden State 144-98 on Saturday Suns: After an 0-3 homestand Phoenix plays the Kings in Sacramento on Friday night 2017 02 02 02 05 By BOB www char o eobserver com
GOP pushes 2 top Cabinet picks through to full Senate
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WASHINGTON — Republicans jammed two of President Donald Trump’s top Cabinet picks through the Senate Finance Committee with no Democrats in the room Wednesday after suspending a rule that would have otherwise barred them from taking the vote The tactic seemed a warning shot that they might deploy brute political muscle in the upcoming fight over the Supreme Court vacancy With a near-toxic vapor of divisiveness between the two parties across Capitol Hill nasty showdowns broke out elsewhere as well One Senate panel signed off on Trump’s choice for attorney general only after senators exchanged heated words and another committee postponed a vote on the would-be chief of the Environmental Protection Agency after Democrats refused to show up Busting through a Democratic boycott of the Finance panel all 14 Republicans took advantage of Democrats’ absence to temporarily disable a committee rule requiring at least one Democrat to be present for votes They then used two 14-0 roll calls to approve financier Steve Mnuchin for Treasury secretary and Rep Tom Price R-Ga to be health secretary ignoring Democrats’ demands that the two nominees provide more information about their financial backgrounds All the nominations will need full Senate approval Underscoring Congress’ foul mood Finance panel Chairman Orrin Hatch R-Utah said Democrats should be “ashamed” for staying away from his committee’s meeting “I don’t feel a bit sorry for them ” he told reporters adding later “I don’t care what they want at this point ” Trump won one major victory as the Senate confirmed Rex Tillerson to be secretary of state The mostly party-line 56-43 vote came with Democrats critical of Tillerson’s close ties to Russia as former Exxon Mobil CEO Tillerson was sworn in later Wednesday at the White House
But the prospects that GOP donor Betsy DeVos would win approval as education secretary were jarred when two GOP senators Susan Collins of Maine and Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski said they opposed her Both challenged her support for public education and their defections meant Vice President Mike Pence might need to break a tie in a Senate that Republicans control 52-48 Congress’ day was dominated by confrontation even as lawmakers braced for an even more ferocious battle over Trump’s nomination of conservative federal judge Neil Gorsuch to fill the Supreme Court vacancy Democrats were already furious over Republicans’ refusal to even consider last year President Barack Obama’s pick for the slot Judge Merrick Garland Trump fueled the fire by urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell R-Ky to “go nuclear” — shorthand for a unilateral change in the chamber’s rules so Democrats can’t block Gorsuch with a filibuster Without a rules change Republicans will need at least eight Democrats to reach the 60-votes necessary to halt filibusters or endless procedural delays Democrats boycotted Wednesday’s abruptly called Finance Committee meeting as they’d done for a session a day earlier They say Price and Mnuchin have lied about their financial backgrounds and must answer more questions “It’s deeply troubling to me that Republicans on the Finance Committee chose to break the rules in the face of strong evidence of two nominees’ serious ethical problems ” said the panel’s top Democrat Ron Wyden of Oregon Democrats say Price had special access to low-priced shares in an Australian biomed firm even though he testified the offer was available to all investors They say Mnuchin ran a bank that processed home foreclosures with a process critics say invites fraud The two men have denied wrongdoing and have solid Republican backing The Senate Judiciary Committee used a party-line 11-9 vote to sign off on Sen Jeff Sessions R-Ala for attorney general That came after Sen Al Franken D-Minn said Sen Ted Cruz R-Texas had misrepresented remarks he’d made about Sessions weeks ago Cruz wasn’t present as Franken spoke Sen John Cornyn R-Texas interrupted Franken twice calling it “untoward and inappropriate” to disparage the absent Cruz Franken said Cruz “personally went after me he personally impugned my integrity ” Angrily pointing at Cornyn he asked “You didn’t object then did you?” Cornyn said he wasn’t sure he was there when Cruz spoke At the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Democrats boycotted a planned vote on Scott Pruitt Oklahoma’s state attorney general in line to lead the Environmental Protection Agency The vote was postponed Pruitt has questioned the scientific consensus that human activities are contributing to global warming and joined lawsuits against the agency’s emission curbs Another panel postponed a vote on Trump’s pick to head the White House Budget Office tea party Rep Mick Mulvaney R-S C as Democrats asked for more time to read the nominee’s FBI file 2017 02 02 02 05 By A an www pos gaze e com
Beyonce Breaks Selena Gomez’s Instagram Record With Epic Pregnancy Pic
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Beyonce 35 and Jay Z 47 gave the world something to scream about when they announced via Instagram on Feb 1 that the singer was carrying two little buns in her oven! We don’t know if the Carters had any idea what they had just unleashed on the world as everyone started to FREAK OUT over the news
Social media went so insane that in less than eight hours the “Formation” singer’s post had garnered 6 4 million likes and over 339 000 comments; acquiring 2 4 million likes and 166 000 comments in the first hour alone This made Queen Bey’s post the most liked in the history of Instagram Needless to say it was epic to watch Unless you were Selena Gomez 24 who just so happens to be the previous record holder when your lyrics are on the bottle #ad A photo posted by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Jun 25 2016 at 2:03pm PDT The “Hands To Myself” singer’s record-breaking post is an absolutely gorgeous professional shot of her drinking a bottle of Coca-Cola with the lyrics “You’re the Spark” from her hit song “Me & The Rhythm” written on the label The post has collected 6 3 million likes since it was posted in June 2016 Impressive? At the time sure But now that Bey’s post has crushed that record in less than 24 hours Selena’s number is looking teeny tiny To be fair Selena didn’t have a shot at keeping her title once Bey revealed the pic of her wearing beautiful lingerie while cradling her stunning pregnant belly “We would like to share our love and happiness ” Beyonce captioned the pic “We have been blessed two times over We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two and we thank you for your well wishes – The Carters ” Sorry Selena but you can’t mess with Queen Bey HollywoodLifers do you think Beyonce’s post was better than Selena’s post? Give us all your thoughts below! Chinese Laundry Puts Up Three-Story 78-Foot-Wide Installation… The 100 EP on That Lexa Moment in the Season 4 Premiere: It Was… Losses of $913 Million at Sony s Pictures Division Cut Group… Controversial Breitbart Editor s Speech Canceled Amid Fiery… Polish Your Professional Style With These Silk Suspenders The Power of Content Copyright © 2017 PMC All rights reserved Powered by WordPress com VIP 2017 02 02 02 03 Jenn er Maas ho ywood e com
Pacers hold on to beat Magic on the road
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ORLANDO Florida—C J Miles scored 16 points Glenn Robinson III added 14 and the Indiana Pacers held on to beat the Orlando Magic 98-88 on Wednesday night The Pacers used their smaller lineup and timely 3-point shooting to keep the struggling Magic from rallying Orlando didn’t have an answer for Miles’ 3-point shooting including a trey that pushed the lead to 96-88 in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter Orlando moved within five points a few times in the final period but could not come any closer Jeff Teague had 13 points and nine assists and was 8 for 9 from the free-throw line to join six Pacers in double figures Serge Ibaka led five Magic players in double figures with 20 points The Pacers have defeated their former coach Frank Vogel four straight times this season and look like a team on the rise They have won four straight to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff mix Orlando meanwhile is letting its playoff hopes fade fast with its second straight loss and fifth in its last six games The Magic slipped to 8-16 at Amway Center After trailing by nine points at halftime the Magic picked up their defense and played with more patience offensively in the third quarter as they pulled within four points late in quarter on a 3-pointer by C J Watson Indiana was able to stretch back out to an 80-74 advantage when Rodney Stuckey converted a jumper in the waning moments of the third The Pacers took advantage of their smaller lineup to create mismatches during the first half to take a 56-47 lead into halftime Indiana which led by as many as 15 points in the second quarter used its speed and quickness advantage especially at the power forward spot to keep Orlando on its heels during the opening two quarters Thaddeus Young and reserve Lavoy Allen combined for 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the first half as Orlando’s big three of Serge Ibaka Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo struggled to guard them on the perimeter Teague also proved to be a tough matchup for the Magic guards as he consistently beat them off the dribble to draw fouls He was 8 of 9 from the free-throw line and led the Pacers with 11 points while Paul George had seven points in the first half and finished with eight 2017 02 02 02 02 Assoc a ed Press spor s nqu rer ne
Lawmakers offer advice as NC superintendent prepares for statewide listening tour
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By Kelly Hinchcliffe Raleigh N C — North Carolina Superintendent Mark Johnson welcomed dozens of lawmakers to the state education building Wednesday morning urging them to "please seriously don t be strangers" as he embarks on a statewide listening tour to learn about education issues "If you want to have time with me just reach out " Johnson said at the breakfast get-together which allowed lawmakers to meet with state education staff and learn more about the department Johnson who ousted longtime State Superintendent June Atkinson in November s election told lawmakers he wants to make "big " "bold" improvements to the state s education system and said he plans to "bring a sense of urgency" to the job "Every year that goes by that we don’t take these bold actions is a year we are letting down students and letting down teachers " he said Johnson hasn t yet revealed what actions he wants to take but said he believes the state s current education system is "outdated" and was "designed for students in the 1950s discloses any specific plans because he first wants to meet with people across the state to find out what their priorities are
or even earlier " A spokesman for Johnson said " it ll be several months " before he
During Wednesday s legislative breakfast at the state Department of Public Instruction WRAL News asked various lawmakers what education issues are important to their constituents and what they would like to tell Johnson The following interviews have been edited for length and clarity Rep Chuck McGrady R-Henderson
I’m glad (the superintendent) is traveling the state I think that’s how you get out and you realize just how diverse the education systems are across the state We’ve got areas that are functioning quite well and providing good education output but then there are other places where we’re failing And so we’ve got to figure out how to offer the same education to kids across the state regardless of where they are I think he’s going to find fairly quickly that it has something to do with money and funding We went through a period of time when the budget was in poor shape and we didn’t lay off teachers at that point but we had to make some real cuts Now that the economy has come back I sense among our colleagues broadly it’s not clear what this means but broadly a desire to put more funding back into education That’s in part teacher salaries but it’s also principal salaries And I think when he goes out he’s going to see that he’s going to see the disparity between these systems I also have the bill having to do with class size I expect the House will take action on it and I hope the superintendent will get behind our effort And whether it’s the House approach or some other approach it’s something we need to do and we need to do relatively quickly I want to get him out to Henderson County I hope and show him something called Muddy Sneakers which is an effort to take kids out of school to teach them science for example out in the woods in the parks in the state forests in our area A lot of kids learn better experientially and we’ve got an innovative program that started in our mountain region I’m hoping to get him out and get him with some kids up on DuPont State Forest to show him how we can teach kids in a somewhat different way I’m hoping if he is exposed to the program he’ll make it part of his budget when the time comes Rep Billy Richardson D-Cumberland I was very delighted to hear (the superintendent) say that it’s time to be bold Because we have not been bold with education in the last 10 to 15 years and we’re paying a terrible price for it By the budgets we have continued to pass it says two things One that we’re settling for mediocrity We’re not trying to do excellence in education and that is absolutely a disaster Secondly we need to step up not worry about political correctness and we need to once and for all have a comprehensive teacher recruitment teacher mentoring teacher compensation teacher retirement
Principals are doing two jobs – having the teachers’ back and recruiting great teachers Until we do that comprehensively you’re not going to attract the professional teachers we need to teach our children What I would like to see is the superintendent become an advocate for comprehensive compensation and retention of great teachers and mentoring of those teachers And if we do that we’ll help our children become great citizens
Why do we have to be in the last 10 percent of the states in education? North Carolina has always been a leader in higher education It’s been a leader in the South Why aren’t we number one in teacher compensation? Why aren’t we in the top 5 in per pupil expenditure? Why aren’t we producing excellent schools to give our children a chance? That’s what we’ve got to do Rep Michael Speciale R-Beaufort Craven Pamlico
What I think the biggest problem in education is right now with regard to the legislature and everything else is that partisan wall This us-versus-them mentality with regard to party and everything else is ridiculous It’s got to be removed from the school systems
This partisan stuff is ridiculous School systems are the worst when it comes to that But it is slowly I think getting better I’m in my third term now and I’ve noticed over the last few years it is getting easier to communicate The lines of communication are getting better And it has to Because if we don’t know what’s going on in the legislature if we don’t know what the needs are because our districts won’t talk to us because the school system won’t talk to us well then how can we fix anything? So we don’t need the animosity and I do think we’ve built a better relationship I do think things have gotten a lot better I see the lines of communication opening and that’s the biggest thing that the school system can do to help itself is to open those lines of communication with us I want them to focus on where the discrepancies are and what we can do to help How do we improve reading levels? How do we improve math levels? Let’s focus on the issues in the classroom and let’s get away from all the peripheral stuff How do we fix what’s going on in the classroom? The teachers have heavy burdens on them There’s a lot of things that can be fixed but not until we address them And the legislature doesn’t know how to address them because we don’t know what’s going on So I’m just hoping the school systems will talk to us some more and get rid of the years of animosity We’re all on the same team Rep Susan Fisher D-Buncombe
While class size is a really important thing to focus on and we want to lower class sizes we don’t want to lower them to the detriment of courses that we might offer in those schools So we want to make sure that we’re not eliminating classes that are the very ones that are keeping kids in school like art like music like language – the things that are sometimes called fluff or extracurricular They’re very important at keeping kids form dropping out of school so we want to focus on that
We want to also focus on how hard teachers and superintendents are working to make quality schools but for not very much pay We need to recognize them for the professionals that they are and I would ask the superintendent really focus in on what teachers and superintendents are doing right and not so much on what the perception may be that they are doing wrong Look at the successes and hone in on what we can do to improve the professional status of teachers and principals in the schools I’m just glad that (the superintendent) is taking the time to (go on a listening tour) It’s important Rep Larry Bell D-Duplin Sampson Wayne I think (the superintendent) needs to define what it means to be a public school and charters and where they are I would like to know how he differentiates between the charters and the regular public schools and also what he plans to do about these schools that are low performing and how we deal with that in different situations I’d like to see him leave a lot of the low-performing situations up to local control rather than have to bring in outside (operators) I think the ones who are already there can help improve the system than bringing in someone else Make sure that we provide an adequate amount of funding for the school systems and I know that comes through us I would like to see him push that really hard and also to work with the locals in making sure they provide as much local funds as they can Rep Kevin Corbin R-Cherokee Clay Graham Macon
I spent five terms on our local school board so I have school background experience One of the things that I think is important and it has been brought up every legislative session I think for 10 years is school calendar flexibility to allow your local school boards to actually set the start date of your calendar I think that’s extremely important for a couple reasons The primary one is your school board can set your calendar or they can start the school year early enough where they can take final exams before Christmas instead of after If you’ve been in education you know that’s huge
If kids can go through the first part of December they can head into the Christmas season doing their reviews and getting ready for the final exam and actually take the final exam instead of taking that break for two weeks and then sort of losing that momentum and then coming back and taking your final exams middle of January To me that’s a huge issue I think giving that flexibility to local school boards would very possibly increase test scores and possibly increase graduation rates There’s all kinds of positive effects (with) school calendar flexibility Rep Pat Hurley R-Randolph I definitely want (the superintendent) to focus on making sure our children are prepared to go out into the world to know everyday things We’re having so many who can’t give (customers) change I mean they’ve got to have that (cash register) machine to give change I did the cursive writing bill and I certainly want to be sure that they are learning to write in cursive Because see if they can’t write it they can’t read it And memorizing the multiplication tables Just back to basics that our children will have the foundation that they need to be successful in their lives I want them to be able to learn I want children to want to stay in school and enjoy school (I also want) less testing 2017 02 02 02 02 By www wra com
Chef Tin Vuong is back and thinking big at Bluegold/LXSO restaurants
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Chef Tin Vuong and his team at Blackhouse Hospitality have opened Bluegold and LSXO at Huntington Beach’s Pacific City Blackhouse is a prolific operation with restaurants scattered from downtown Los Angeles to Hermosa Beach This marks the chef’s return to Orange County Before he became a big deal in L A Vuong began his career at the St Regis Monarch Beach and Sapphire in Laguna Beach Two restaurants in one Bluegold is a 250-seat steakhouse and seafood grill (plus oyster bar kettle steam bar sandwich shop and pizza specialist) while LSXO is a posh 28-seat parlor that serves Vietnamese cuisine in a semi-secret back room that recalls colonial Saigon Although worlds apart both restaurants operate out of the same kitchen Both are beautiful And while both are good LSXO is better in most respects with one big caveat Here’s how the two opposing concepts stack up Bluegold The atmosphere : Grand and spacious Bluegold has all the trappings of a contemporary steakhouse Wood tabletops are uncovered but they are adorned with luxurious cotton napkins fine china and heavy silverware A standard rock soundtrack plays softly in the background barely perceptible A bar occupies the front half of the dining area The service : Waiters are novices but friendly and well-intentioned The young sommelier who apprenticed at Marche Moderne likes to invite guests to step into his walk-in wine cellar to discuss potential selections And the amiable hard-working manager is always deep in the trenches alongside his staff
The food : The first thing you’ll notice about the menu is how vast it is There’s a section for pizza a section for oysters and raw seafood a section for steaks a section for steam kettles a section for cheese and charcuterie plus more than 15 appetizers and a dozen sides With more than 75 items the menu is too vast for its own good When the restaurant fills up the kitchen can’t handle it “I’m really sorry for the delay ” says our waiter one night “The kitchen has shut everything down for a few minutes because they have too many orders ”
As a result some dishes are good some are disasters The safest bets are the steaks and chops from the wood-fired grill But while I have enjoyed two very nice steaks here nothing has risen to the level of quality or finesse that I have experienced at this same chef’s Steak & Whisky in Hermosa Beach The skillet-roasted chicken is fantastic as is a salt-roasted beet salad And there’s a lovely butter lettuce salad with avocados and a tarragon dressing that vaguely reminds me of green goddess The thin-crust pizzas are reputable and the french fries are flawless But then there’s the spongy overly gelatinous octopus and a wretched paella The latter a mess of watery rice and overcooked fish is genuinely inedible Bottom line : Although very good in many regards and when the kitchen isn’t particularly busy this sadly is not the best restaurant in Vuong’s portfolio LSXO
The atmosphere : Posh and intimate LSXO lives up to its clandestine mystique It feels like a secret room inside a colonial Saigon mansion decorated with mismatched rattan and leather chairs area rugs and vintage photographs Four stools snuggle against a bar that looks like the backside of an upright piano A soundtrack of old-school hip-hop – Run-DMC Eminem Biz Markie DJ EZ – blares from the speakers The walls shake and the floors vibrate as diners are assaulted with unapologetic refrains filled with racist and sexist slurs It feels like they’re trying a little too hard to be cool The service : Given the dining room’s intimate size – and despite the vulgar music – service tends to be charmingly attentive Moist finger towels are offered when you sit down and when you’re done the bill is presented in a tiny envelope that’s been sealed with wax
The food : Of the thousands of Vietnamese restaurants in Orange County nobody else is cooking Vietnamese food with such elegance and finesse as this The menu here just like Bluegold’s is absurdly vast – more than 50 dishes Consistency does not appear to be a problem on this side of the kitchen Green papaya salad with beef jerky and chilies is spectacular The nem nuong cuon (grilled pork spring rolls) are as good as Brodard’s And while some dishes hew closely to grandmotherly recipes others reveal the chef’s tattooed rebel spirit Veal sweetbreads are fried to a crisp and served in a broth meant to evoke the flavors of bun bo Hue a classic spicy noodle soup made with pig’s blood and trotters It’s a risky move but brilliant Pork is braised in coconut milk and served like a wet soupy stew with boiled quail eggs Chicken sausage is wrapped around stalks of lemongrass and grilled Lamb “satay” so tender you could chew it without teeth is served in a curried broth with noodles and hericots verts The only things on the menu at LSXO that aren’t good are desserts They’re the same as those served in Bluegold and every single option is dreadful And none is even remotely Asian The chocolate cake is dyed blue and topped with gold leaf It looks and tastes like something a 5-year-old might craft from Play-Doh Sadly that’s how it tastes too
Pecan coffee caramel cake comes in a cylindrical shape that looks like it was baked in a tin can which would be cute if it weren’t so dense and heavy and nondelicious Lemon meringue pie is strangely thick and gooey and headachingly sweet And what passes for cheesecake is too gummy to swallow
Bottom line : Vietnamese cuisine is clearly Vuong’s passion and there is no one else cooking food like this in Orange County The menu is immensely exciting It is unfortunate that LSXO doesn’t have its own desserts though And it is even more unfortunate that the music has to be so ridiculously obnoxious Contact the writer: bajohnson@ocregister com or Instagram @bradajohnson 2017 02 02 02 02 ba ohnson@ocreg s er www ocreg s er com
Edward Snowden talks in real time with Pitt students
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Former Central Intelligence Agency employee National Security Agency contractor and whistleblower Edward Snowden spoke via live stream to a full room of Pitt students on Wednesday at the William Pitt Union Assembly Room in Oakland The Pitt Program Council’s lecture committee organized a conversation with Mr Snowden exclusively for Pitt students allowing him time to speak at an undisclosed location on cybersecurity and privacy He also took questions submitted by the students according to Niki Iyer 19 the public relations director for the council “It’s so cool because it’s a very unique opportunity ” Ms Iyer said “You can’t always say ‘I’m going to teleconference a guy in Russia who is wanted by the U S government ’ Who else better to hear his opinion from?” Mr Snowden was behind massive document leaks in 2013 that exposed actions including government snooping on citizens and made him an international fugitive 2017 02 02 02 01 S ephan e S rasburg www pos gaze e com
Preps roundup: Beaverton's Roy Johnston gets MHSAA state wins record
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Beaverton boys basketball defeated Farwell 61-24 to give coach Roy Johnston his 729th career victory the new record for Michigan high school boys basketball head coaching wins Johnston who had stints at Yale and Howell now has 784 total varsity wins when you add the 55 victories coaching the Beaverton girls team The 74-year-old Johnston watched his team improve to 11-1 on the season More boys basketball Brown City 60 Memphis 41 : Calvin Cook led Brown City with 26 points Andrew Geiger also added 16 points and six rebounds Wesley Wolschleger paced Memphis with 14 points Clinton Township Clintondale 56 St Clair Shores Lakeview 55 : Richard Washington led Clintondale (3-11 2-6 MAC Silver) with 17 points Joe Charrette paced Lakeview (2-11 1-7) with 16 points Kingsley 64 Leland 52 : Garrett Miller led all scorers with 37 points for Leland Tristian Fessenden paced Kingsley with 17 points Marlette 62 Sandusky 33 : Bryce George led Marlette with 20 points and five steals Onaway 68 Inland Lakes 58 : Keaton Brewer led Onaway (4-6) with 18 points 10 rebounds and four steals Dakota Cruse added 14 points and five rebounds and Trevor Wregglesworth also chipped in 13 points and eight rebounds Sterling Heights 49 Marysville 43 : Antonio Sinisthtaj led Sterling Heights (11-1 6-1 MAC Silver) with 15 points all coming from beyond the arc Shawn Kama also added 12 points and Malot Dushaj also added 11 points Vestaburg 42 Montabella 29 : Chris Keeler led Vestaburg (5-4 5-2 MAC) with 13 points and six rebounds Noah Johnston added 12 points and 10 rebounds and Seth Stratton also chipped in seven points and 13 rebounds Warren Mott 72 Utica 63 : Howard Turner led Warren Mott (7-5 6-3 MAC White) with 20 points 15 of which came in the fourth quarter Tyler Gillery added 17 points and Jaalon Brown also chipped in 15 points and six steals Gabe Garbanino paced Utica (2-10 0-8) with 15 points Girls basketball Detroit CMA 51 Detroit Westside Academy 10 : Vantane Garrett led CMA (9-7 5-5 PSL West) with 28 points 10 steals and four rebounds Jamiya Owens also added eight points and 13 rebounds Troy Athens 46 Ferndale University High 13 : Breanna Walls led all scorers with seven points and five rebounds for Troy Athens (7-7) Isabelle Crum Morgan Robinson and Maddie Crum each scored five points Wixom St Catherine of Siena 50 Riverview Richard 26 : Maryann Alexander led Wixom (8-5) with 13 points and 13 rebounds Grace Gulowski scored 11 points and Gabby Green added 10 points Nina Biundo paced Gabriel Richard with 13 points 2017 02 02 02 01 De ro Free rss eeds reep com
Scott Disick’s Miami Pics: Partying Thousands Of Miles From Kourtney Kardashian
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It’s getting really hard to root for a Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian love reunion when the Lord keeps flaunting his bevy of random beauties in our faces For the third day in a row he spent a sunny afternoon at Miami’s Setai Hotel pool surrounding himself with gorgeous ladies while sipping on a beer He’s been particularly fond of a mystery blonde who Scott 33 was seen cuddling with on a lounge chair Jan 31 She was with him again on the beach Feb 1 smiling and so proud to have snagged his affections It appears his 37-year-old former partner and their three kids are the furthest thing from Scott’s mind as he’s living it up like the ultimate bachelor
We had so much hope when Scott joined Kourt and their kids on a KUWTK getaway to Costa Rica as it looked like they were finally back to being a family again Things took a hard left turn though when filming rapped as Scott jetted to Miami while Kourtney and their kids flew back home to Calabasas Next thing we knew he was locking lips in a pool with model Jessica Harris 25 As if that wasn’t enough the next day he picked up this hot young blonde! What is going on??? Luckily Kourtney is totally over his hedonistic shenanigans as she was seen with a giant smile on her face Jan 31 while out running errands with their two youngest kids Penelope four and Reign two She even gave him a sexy clapback by posting an Instagram pic of her perky bikini booty captioning it “I know you not ready for this jelly ” She’s so much hotter than any of the girls Scott is partying with and we’re still shaking our heads in disappointment that he’s gone back to his old party boy ways Get it together Scott! Your personal life has more drama than your reality show HollywoodLifers are you disappointed that Scott’s gone back to his old womanizing ways? Chinese Laundry Puts Up Three-Story 78-Foot-Wide Installation… The 100 EP on That Lexa Moment in the Season 4 Premiere: It Was… Losses of $913 Million at Sony s Pictures Division Cut Group… Controversial Breitbart Editor s Speech Canceled Amid Fiery… Polish Your Professional Style With These Silk Suspenders The Power of Content Copyright © 2017 PMC All rights reserved Powered by WordPress com VIP 2017 02 02 02 01 Be h Sh
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Appease or oppose? How the world's nations are reacting to Trump
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The question of how to handle Donald Trump is proving to be a major headache for governments around the world and there is no agreement on how best to do it The shared fear reflected across the international community is that everything that can go wrong will go wrong After braving the White House last week the UK prime minister Theresa May was castigated for her allegedly fawning behaviour towards the new US president But the UK government believes pragmatically that Trump’s objectionable views and actions such as his support for torture and his travel ban on seven mainly Muslim countries must not be allowed to undermine the “special relationship”
Saudi Arabia which was not on Trump’s hit list is also taking a practical approach King Salman did not raise the travel ban when he spoke to Trump on Sunday according to official accounts Khalid al-Falih the Saudi oil minister emphasised the positive instead welcoming Trump’s policy on fossil fuels and ignoring the rest Pakistan also exempted is keeping its head down too Acquiescence or what critics call appeasement has not found favour in some European capitals The French approach typified by François Hollande the country’s outgoing president has been visceral and emotional When they spoke last weekend Hollande lectured Trump on democratic principles and the dangers of protectionism “Withdrawal into oneself is a dead-end response ” he said In contrast Germany’s official reaction to a week of unpleasant Trump-related shocks was cool and rational if not a little patronising Unlike May Angela Merkel the German chancellor was quick to signal her opposition to Trump’s ban on Syrian refugees But she has not retaliated over his insulting description of her open-door policy as “catastrophic” Instead Merkel talked down to him when they spoke last weekend “The [1951 UN] refugee convention requires the international community to take in war refugees on humanitarian grounds All signatory states are obligated to do so The German government explained this policy in their call ” Merkel’s spokesman said Some countries may feel they have little to lose Iran is one It described Trump’s ban on Iranian travellers as “a shameful act” Tehran suspects the new administration is looking for reasons to abrogate the 2015 nuclear deal The US complaint at the UN on Monday about an allegedly illegal Iranian ballistic missile test was a “politically motivated” sign of things to come Iran’s foreign minister Javad Zarif suggested
Suspicions in Iran and so-called “rogue” states such as North Korea or Sudan that Trump may deliberately try to provoke them has been strengthened by his brutal treatment of Mexico ostensibly a close US friend and ally North Korea has been behaving itself waiting perhaps to see what happens But the fact that this week’s first overseas visit by the new US defence secretary James Mattis is to South Korea and Japan will not have gone unnoticed in Pyongyang The danger is that the targets of Trump’s ire may decide to get their retaliation in first
There is another way to handle Trump and it is the most worrying for the western allies It is based entirely on one-sided calculations of national advantage Governments ask themselves how can the arrival of an impulsive inexperienced and self-important American president be exploited for our benefit? Russia Israel and potentially China exemplify this approach In his talks with Trump last week Vladimir Putin Russia’s president purposefully laid the ground for a cost-free deal (to him) on Ukraine and sanctions For Benjamin Netanyahu Israel’s prime minister the prize includes unconstrained expansion of settlements Thousands of new homes in the Occupied Territories have been announced since Trump’s inauguration Xi Jinping China’s no-nonsense president is also holding his fire looking for weakness For these hard-headed leaders the question of how best to handle Trump comes down to how best to flatter manipulate and then hoodwink him Some conservative leaders such as Viktor Orbán in Hungary have been welcoming applauding Trump’s America First nationalism and the “end of multilateralism” They doubtless hope for a political and economic pay-off Far-right European parties seeking power in elections this year such as France’s Front National and the Alternative for Germany hope to profit by his example Marine Le Pen the FN leader will look for a Trumpist endorsement tacit or otherwise
Donald Tusk the European council president is so alarmed about what he calls the Trump threat that he has issued an urgent call to EU leaders who meet in Malta on Friday The Europeans are not quite at panic stations – yet But Tusk’s message is plain: “We need to talk about Donald ” 2017 02 02 02 00 S mon T sda www heguard an com
Shelby Rogers makes U S Fed Cup team despite Taiwan loss
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Shelby Rogers had an up-and-down Wednesday losing to qualifier and world No 181 Ons Jabeur of Tunisia 7-5 6-2 in the Taiwan Open in Taipei City but later getting named to the United States Fed Cup team Rogers 24 joins world No 20 CoCo Vandeweghe No 38 Alison Riske and Australian Open doubles champion Bethanie Mattek-Sands on the squad that will face Germany in the first round Feb 11-12 in Maui "I can t be happier to have CoCo Shelby Ali and Bethanie on my team for my first Fed Cup " rookie U S Fed Cup captain Kathy Rinaldi said "CoCo has entered the top 20 for the first time and had a fantastic Australian Open (making the semifinals) "Shelby recently upset world No 4 Simona Halep in Australia and Ali had a top 10 win over Agnieszka Radwanska earlier this year so both ladies are playing great tennis It is also a huge advantage to have the top-ranked doubles player in the world with Bethanie " In other second-round Taiwan action Wednesday Czech wild-card entrant Lucie Safarova upset fourth-seeded Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia 6-2 6-4 In another upset third-seeded Caroline Garcia of France fell 6-4 6-4 to Mandy Minella of Luxembourg Sixth-seeded Misaki Doi won a matchup of Japanese players beating Risa Ozaki 6-4 6-3 2017 02 02 01 58 www up com
Mother explains why she joined United Patriots Front
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A young mother has released a YouTube video explaining why she chose to join anti-Islam Party for Freedom Penny Louise 20 from South Australia used the video to rail against people who want to destroy our history and brainwash us Ms Louise who has a three-year-old son added that she is sick of being branded bigoted or racist for wanting to protect this country from those who want to hurt and kill innocent of Australians Penny Louise 20 a mother from Queensland has released a video explaining why she chose to join anti-immigrant Party for Freedom In the film she says: Hey UPF I m Penny I m from Party of Freedom and I m obviously a member of the patriot movement Thank you for giving me a chance to be part of your video In the video Ms Louise says she is sick and tried of being called a racist and a bigot for wanting to defend Australia
What obviously made me join the patriot movement is number one I love my country and also I m sick of hearing people who want to destroy our history and brainwash our people into thinking that if you love your country and you want to protect it from those who want to hurt and kill innocent of Australians [sic] with their ideologies and they think that s OK is bigoted or racist I m sick of it I ve had enough Obviously I m going to stand up and I m going to do everything I can to make Australia great again Thank you very much The mother does not say who she is referencing in her comments though UPF is known to be an anti-Islam party Ms Louise released the video as the issue of patriotism and national security is debated around the world particularly following the election of Donald Trump Parties traditionally considered right-wing seem to be gaining support including in Australia with the rise of Pauline Hanson s One Nation party From images posted on her Facebook page Ms Louise seems to be a supporter of both Ms Hanson and President Trump Ms Louise is not the only newly outspoken woman on the far-right Last year Rosalie Crestani delivered a speech to an Australia flag pride march in Melbourne She is also not the only mother to emerge as an outspoken proponent of the right Back in June last year 42-year-old mother-of-two Rosalie Crestani spoke out as the deputy leader of the Rise Up Australia party at a flag-pride rally Crestani delivered a speech to members of the True Blue Crew and United Patriots Front on Sunday to protect our Aussie flag outside Royal Exhibition Building where the flag was first raised in 1901 in central Melbourne 2017 02 02 01 58 Chr s P easance www da yma co uk
Student wins one of the largest rape settlements ever
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A former UC Santa Cruz student has won one of the largest rape settlements ever after claims she was raped by her professor Luz Portillo 24 claims that assistant Latin American studies professor Hector Perla had taken her out got her drunk and raped her in 2015 Her attorneys announced that the university had agreed to pay her $1 15 million to settle before a civil lawsuit or criminal charges were filed The settlement - one of the largest Title IX settlements in history - was granted for what she claims was its failure to address previous allegations of sexual harassment and sexual violence by the professor Luz Portillo 24 (left) claims that assistant Latin American studies professor Hector Perla (right) had taken her out got her drunk and raped her in 2015 Nothing in the world will ever take the experience back and nothing in the world will make up for it said Portillo after the settlement But I didn t want the narrative to be written for me and hopefully this will help someone else Portillo alleges that Perla had invited her and another female student for a wine-tasting at Loma Prieta Winery on June 13 2015 under the pretext of celebrating their graduation according to the claim But once there she claims that he plied her with drink causing her to become severely intoxicated and lose her memory the complaint states The three then went to the student-employee s home where they supplied Claimant with more win and engaged in non-consensual sex acts with Portillo who was severely intoxicated to the point she was not fully conscious Her attorneys announced that UC Santa Cruz (pictured) had agreed to pay her $1 15 million She reported the alleged rape to her school but says that the University of California Santa Cruz tried to minimize the assault I had to become my own advocate she told Buzzfeed adding that during the investigation she did not feel like the university was on her side
UC Santa Cruz is one of more than 200 colleges and universities under federal investigation for how they handle sexual assault The case has renewed focus on the problem of sexual assaults involving college students and raises questions about what obligations a university has to inform students and when it s time to go public The settlement was granted before a civil lawsuit or criminal charges were filed (Perla) The Santa Cruz campus never alerted students to the two investigations or their outcome On Tuesday Portillo s lawyers announced her hefty settlement One of the few rape settlements to top hers was from the University of Colorado at Boulder following allegations a female student had been raped by football players and team recruits at a friend’s off-campus apartment The university eventually settled for $2 5 million Despite the more than million dollar payment Portillo s attorney John Kristensen said no amount of money will make her whole Ms Portillo a promising future lawyer was scarred for life because UCSC failed to comply with its own regulations and other rules governing higher education entities he said This case is emblematic of the crisis of sexual assault on female students at our nation s institutions of higher learning In a statement UC Santa Cruz said it acted quickly upon learning of the allegations which appeared to be clear violations of the UC Santa Cruz policy on sexual violence and sexual harassment Before the professor resigned he was removed from his position placed on leave and barred from all contact with students the statement said When formal disciplinary proceedings began he resigned Until today s statement by attorneys representing the victim we have avoided public comment to protect the student s privacy Chancellor George Blumenthal and Interim Campus Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor Herbert Lee said A spokeswoman for the regents directed all questions to the university 2017 02 02 01 56 Hannah Parry www da yma co uk
Lawmakers: New York airports agency should defy travel ban
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Lawmakers from New York and New Jersey want the bi-state agency that runs the states major airports not to devote resources to enforce President Donald Trump s immigrant travel ban They announced legislation at a park near the Statue of Liberty on Wednesday It s not clear what direct effect the legislation would have since Port Authority of New York and New Jersey personnel aren t involved in the screening and processing of immigrants at the airports The legislation would prohibit the Port Authority from "utilizing any of its resources" in support of the enforcement of Trump s executive order The agency operates JFK and LaGuardia airports in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport A Port Authority spokesman said Wednesday the agency has been in charge of crowd control during recent airport protests 2017 02 02 01 53 The Assoc a ed www char o eobserver com
New York state awarding $25M in railroad improvement grants
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New York is awarding $25 million to railroad infrastructure improvement projects across the state Gov Andrew Cuomo says the funding comes from the state s Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program that supports rail infrastructure and boosts the movement of goods throughout New York The Democrat says the money is going to 19 applicants through a competitive solicitation process The funds will be used to rehabilitate tracks fix rail bridges and expand capacity Another $5 4 million in private and local spending for such projects is being leveraged through the program The largest single grant — $2 6 million — is going to SMS Rail Services in Albany County to rehab 14 miles of track and sidings followed by $2 5 million for PanAm Southern in neighboring Rensselaer County to reconfigure and expand tracks 2017 02 02 01 53 The Assoc a ed www m am hera d com
Australian PM Turnbull accused of buying election after $1 3 million political donation
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Australia’s wealthy prime minister has revealed that he donated A$1 75 million (US$1 3 million) to his cash-strapped party’s re-election campaign last year prompting his opponents to accuse him of buying the election victory Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull Australia’s richest lawmaker with a fortune estimated to exceed A$200 million had refused for months to say how much he had contributed to his Liberal Party-led conservative coalition scraping back into power at But he confirmed the figure late on Wednesday despite being legally entitled to conceal it for another year “I’ve always been prepared to put my money where my mouth is ” Turnbull told Australian Broadcasting Corporation “I put my money into ensuring that we didn’t have a Labor government ” he added referring to the centre-left Labor Party opposition Secrecy surrounding the size of Turnbull’s donation has added to calls for Australia to reform its political donation laws to ensure more transparency Labor’s finance spokesman Jim Chalmers on Thursday accused Turnbull of buying the election in which the coalition clung to power with the barest majority of 76 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives “It stinks Malcolm Turnbull had to buy his way out of trouble ” Chalmers said “If Malcolm Turnbull didn’t have A$1 75 million to splash about he wouldn’t be the leader of the Liberal Party and he wouldn’t be the prime minister ” Chalmers added Treasurer Scott Morrison described Chalmers’s comments as “a grubby political smear from grubby political hack” Morrison a senior Liberal Party member accused opposition leader of doing the bidding of the labor union movement which donates to the Labor Party Under Australian electoral law political donations exceeding A$13 200 made in the last fiscal year had to be published on Wednesday along with the names of the donors Turnbull avoided his disclosure by promising the money to his Liberal Party during the election campaign but not making the donation until the current fiscal year The current fiscal year started on July 1 – the day before the election Party officials had been desperately lobbying donors for more money to maintain their campaign in the final weeks Calls for Turnbull to admit the donation intensified when he was absent from the donors’ list published on Wednesday His absence highlighted one of the tactics donors can use to avoid or delay disclosure The former merchant banker’s wealth is seen as a political liability with his opponents accusing him of being out of touch with the financial pressures facing most ordinary Australians The 62-year-old self-made multi-millionaire has been dubbed “The Silvertail ” a pejorative term for someone with wealth and privilege and “Mr Harborside Mansion ” Cartoonists depict him wearing a top hat A parliamentary committee is currently considering changes to Australian electoral laws to increase transparency Labor wants the disclosure threshold reduced to A$1 000 while minor party lawmakers suggest donations should be disclosed when they are made 2017 02 02 01 52 Assoc a ed Press www scmp com
CMU names new CERT cybersecurity chief
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Whenever a cyber attack or internet security breach occurs especially those involving the U S government or military Carnegie Mellon University’s CERT Cybersecurity Division goes into action Edward H (Ned) Deets III a former U S Navy cryptologist and retired rear admiral with 32 years of active duty experience has been named the new director of the division of CMU’s Software Engineering Institute replacing retiring Richard Pethia Mr Pethia founded the operation — the world’s first computer security incident response team CERT is a research center with more than 600 employees and $150 million in annual business revenues It has been receiving grant money from the start through the U S Department of Defense
“Rich Pethia started the whole business in 1988 and guided it for nearly 30 years of success ” said Paul Nielsen director and CEO of the institute “He’s been an icon in the business but all comes to an end with a career at some point We are lucky to have Ned given his deep background in this area with the military ” Mr Deets has been with the institute for five years serving since 2013 as director of its software solutions division “For nearly 30 years the cybersecurity mission of the CERT division has been at the forefront of our nation’s cyber defense ” Mr Deets said in a statement released by the university “I am confident that our incredibly talented team will continue to respond to immediate threats and rise to the challenge of anticipating future threats to our national security ”
In an interview Wednesday Mr Deets said he plans to build on the division’s decades of success in “doing great things across the DOD the federal government and industry and whatever else we can do to help the United States We plan to go in different directions as we move forward ” 2017 02 02 01 52 By Dav d www pos gaze e com
Roger Goodell dishes on Oakland Raiders' situation in press conference
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HOUSTON -- The Raiders still are in Oakland and may be for a while despite attempts to move to Las Vegas San Diego or Los Angeles That is one way to interpret the words of the man in charge NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at his annual Super Bowl news conference Goodell for the first time tieless but certainly not clueless at a session held on Wednesday instead the traditional Friday said there is work to be done before the Raiders plan to shift from the East Bay to Vegas could become a reality Everything pointed to a Raiders move when billionaire Sheldon Adelson agreed to pay $650 million toward $1 9 billion stadium to be constructed in Las Vegas with the state of Nevada forking over $750 million and the Raiders a half million Then a few days ago Adelson owner of the Sands Casino withdrew as partner On Wednesday Goodell did a sidestep on whether the NFL long opposed would consent to have team based in a state where gambling is legal "We need to make sure there is a fine line between team sports gambling and the NFL " said Goodell "We want to protect the integrity of the game and that s the line we will always do place The Raiders have not asked us to compromise those rules as it relates to our policies We will continue to have that separation going forward
but there something from our standpoint that we have rules that are in
"I don t see an ownership position in a team from a casino That is not something consistent with our policies Not likely a stadium either " That could be the reason Adelson a pal of Raiders owner Mark Davis and supposedly the guiding force in the proposed franchise shift suddenly backed away Or was told to back away He s not going to get out of the casino business While Goodell said he and the league are considering "carefully" the Raiders application to leave Oakland for Las Vegas he insisted there "is a great deal of work to be done There are several elements of that Financing of the stadium is just one " Another certainly is television the lifeblood of sports The Bay Area where the Raiders started in 1960 and to which they returned in 1995 after the L A sojourn is the sixth largest TV market Las Vegas is 42nd Even San Diego which lost the Chargers to L A and has been mentioned as possible new home for the Raiders -- a doubtful one -- is 28th "The depth of market " was something Goodell mentioned And alluding to San Diego where the Chargers played for 56 years as well as Oakland Goodell called relocations "painful " For the fans he meant For the owners they are wonderful providing more income Wherever the Raiders play they and the other 31 NFL franchises apparently will continue to appear on Thursday Night Football despite poor matchups shrinking TV ratings and questions of whether players are not getting enough rest after Sunday games "Thursday Night Football " said Goodell " is something we are very committed to Thursday Night Football ended up being the No 1-rated show on all of primetime this year on NBC and No 4 on CBS so we see our fans reacting positively to that " There was a positive reaction to the Raiders- Houston Texans Monday Night game in Mexico City last season and so the Raiders will return to the Mexican capital in 2017 to face the New England Patriots date and time -- it probably will be a Sunday -- to be announced in April The Patriots owner Robert Kraft quarterback Tom Brady and Deflategate were large in Goodell s conference not surprisingly Goodell defended the team fine and Brady s four-game suspension at the same time insisting he respects the Patriots organization Well prepared for most questions Goodell was taken aback when told questions from the Monday Media Night relating to President Donald Trump were deleted or redacted from the transcripts and official videos "Is the NFL or you not comfortable with the idea of President Trump " the questioner wondered? Responded Goodell: "I must tell you that s one thing I m not responsible for around here is the transcripts " 2017 02 02 01 52 www up com
Raucous crowd shuts down LA gas leak meeting
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A raucous crowd calling for the permanent closure of the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage field after a months-long well leak that prompted mass evacuations cut short a public meeting on Wednesday refusing to allow more comment from speakers who favor reopening the field As the heads of two state agencies sat stolidly on stage the facilitator of the scheduled public meeting in the San Fernando Valley declared that the atmosphere was just too heated and ended the gathering less than two hours after it began "Shut it all down! Shut it all down! " the audience of around 300 chanted at one point Officials still plan to go ahead with a second public meeting on Thursday night With more than 100 deep underground wells Aliso Canyon is the largest natural gas storage site in the West and is considered critical to the Los Angeles area for home heating and to power gas-fired electricity plants during energy spikes However the Southern California Gas Co facility has been crippled more than a year since a blowout discovered in October 2015 released tons of methane into the air for four months drove 8 000 families from their homes in and around the Porter Ranch neighborhood and led to mass complaints of health issues ranging from headaches to cancer At the meeting residents spoke about those issues and so did representatives of state and local government who promised to fight reopening of the field until it is clear what caused the leak "I ve seen the nosebleeds and the nausea I ve seen the pets you ve lost and the family members that have been injured " said new state Sen Henry Stern D-Los Angeles Stern s bill SB146 would require that a probe of the root cause of the leak be completed before reopening can be considered Officials from the Los Angeles County fire and public health departments called for the completion of studies on earthquake risks and the health impact of the leak before reopening can be considered Less than a third of the 113 wells at the aging former oil field have passed rigorous inspections ordered after the blowout The remaining ones have been taken out of service and must pass state-mandated tests within a year or be permanently sealed Public comments were being accepted until Feb 6 and the state could sign off as soon as this month to allow use of the approved wells to store more gas — though the company would be restricted to about a third of the facility s storage capacity according to the state Department of Conservation said However blackouts predicted without the facility in full operation have not occurred Many nearby residents who endured stench ailments and frustration have demanded a permanent shutdown That sentiment was clear during Wednesday night s meeting The crowd booed and even shouted down three speakers who urged reopening of the field on grounds that it would provide much needed and environmentally friendly energy to businesses and poor county residents Things became so heated that a planned presentation on safety reviews and state investigations was put off Meeting facilitator Caelan McGee ended the evening when the audience refused to allow pro-reopening speakers to finish their remarks Timothy J Sullivan executive director of the California Public Utility Commission and Ken Harris state oil and gas supervisor for the Division of Oil Gas & Geothermal Resources sat stolidly during the events 2017 02 02 01 51 By ROBERT www hera don ne com
Crime Q&A: Was anyone arrested for slaying of Sikh men in Elk Grove?
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Q: Has there ever been any resolution to the brutal assassination of two elderly Sikhs in Elk Grove several years ago? A: No arrests have been made in the March 4 2011 shootings of Surinder Singh 65 and Gurmej Singh Atwal 78
The two Sikh men who were wearing turbans were on a Friday afternoon walk on East Stockton Boulevard in Elk Grove Witnesses reported that a full-sized gold or tan raised pickup truck drove alongside the two men about 4:30 p m and someone in the pickup fired six shots from a semiautomatic handgun according to Elk Grove police Surinder Singh died at the scene Gurmej Singh Atwal was transported to an area hospital where he died six weeks later Elk Grove officials announced last year that a new 5-acre park under construction in the city will be named Singh and Kaur Park recognizing the Sikh community Singh meaning lion is part of every Sikh male’s name and Kaur meaning lioness is part of every Sikh female’s name A section of the park will be dedicated to Surinder Singh and Gurmej Singh Atwal As of August Elk Grove police said the reward for information leading to a conviction in the men’s slaying stood at $58 000 according to a story in The Sacramento Bee 2017 02 02 01 50 By Ca hy www sacbee com
Pentagon watchdog does not confirm perception that Islamic State intelligence was distorted
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Despite dozens of Pentagon intelligence analysts saying their leaders distorted findings on the war against the Islamic State group to make things look rosier than reality the Defense Department inspector general concluded that their claims were not true according to a new report released Wednesday
Almost half the 82 intelligence analysts the inspector general interviewed from the Joint Intelligence Center for U S Central Command (Centcom) in Tampa Fla “believed that intelligence was being skewed in some way ” the report said A third of those analysts believed senior commanders imposed a “narrative” on their assessments about the war that was too positive particularly about the performance of Iraqi troops But the inspector general stopped short of substantiating those allegations instead blaming the demanding pace of the work and a lack of communication between rank-and-file analysts and two of the intelligence center’s senior leaders at the time Maj Gen Steven Grove and Gregory Ryckman The senior officials “did not fully grasp the extent of the belief” that intelligence was being distorted and communicated with their workforce in a way that was “significantly lacking ” the IG found “In sum we did not find systematic distortion of intelligence ” the report said “However we did find a strong perception of such distortion among many analysts and managers working on those products ” The findings of the investigation launched in 2015 contradict in part those released by a congressional task force last summer That probe led by House Republicans including newly confirmed CIA Director Mike Pompeo found that assessments by Centcom were “consistently more positive” than analysis produced by other U S intelligence agencies The IG report suggested that might be true noting that an official with the Joint Staff at the Pentagon found Centcom’s assessments on the IS campaign to be rosier than other U S intelligence
Mr Pompeo and other House Republicans alleged last summer that Centcom manipulated reports while House Democrats said it was not clear that leaders pressured its analysts to come to specific conclusions though they seemed to not be good about accommodating dissenting views The controversy became campaign fodder for President Donald Trump’s campaign before he was elected with Mr Trump and his surrogates accusing President Barack Obama of surrounding himself with commanders who were “yes-men ”
The Pentagon declined to respond to those charges at the time saying it would hold comment until after the inspector general investigation was complete On Wednesday it issued a statement from Joint Chiefs Chairman Joseph Dunford Jr that said Centcom “will look hard at the recommendations and make any necessary improvements
“I want to take the opportunity to thank the men and women of the CENTCOM for their extraordinary commitment hard work and competence They have led the fight against ISIS and it is due to their efforts that we have the momentum in the fight and the opportunity to move even more aggressively in the months ahead I particularly want to thank our intelligence professionals at CENTCOM for their contributions ” Marine Corps Gen Dunford’s statement said
Gen Grove and Mr Ryckman both denied that intelligence was politicized in the IG investigation Gen Grove blamed the frustration in part on increased oversight and said there may have been some frustration among analysts “especially our youngsters ” that an analyst “can’t just do intelligence like a blog ” House Republicans involved in the joint task released a statement Wednesday noting that the IG reached many of the same findings they did including that the “challenging command climate” contributed to problems They pledged to monitor and assess any changes that are made and to investigate any claims of reprisal by whistleblowers At least one former analyst has made one such allegation according to the Daily Beast The top commander at Centcom at the time now-retired Gen Lloyd J Austin III told investigators that it was “absolutely not true” and “ridiculous” that he did not want to hear bad news “Let me confirm 100 percent that I have not done that and I never would do that ” Mr Austin said according to the report “Again we’re in a fight to win and so I don’t gain anything by trying to paint a rosy picture here ” In his statement Gen Dunford expressed confidence in Mr Austin and in his successor Gen Joe Votel saying “We have been fortunate to have two great commanders over the past few years ” 2017 02 02 01 50 By Dan www pos gaze e com
VW to pay $1 2 billion or more to U S owners of big diesels
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Volkswagen has agreed to pay at least $1 2 billion in buybacks and compensation to settle claims from U S owners of cars with larger diesel engines that the company rigged to cheat on emissions tests And the German automaker could pay even more — as much as $4 billion — if it can’t repair many of the cars in a way that satisfies regulators The proposed settlement filed late Tuesday before Judge Charles R Breyer in U S District Court in San Francisco covers owners of some 78 000 Audi Volkswagen and Porsche cars with 3 0-liter diesel engines Volkswagen has already agreed on a $15 billion settlement with owners of some 500 000 smaller 2 0-liter diesel engines Volkswagen has now settled most U S consumer claims as it tries to repair a tarnished reputation “All of our customers with affected vehicles in the United States will have a resolution available to them ” Hinrich J Woebcken head of Volkswagen Group of America said in a statement The company still faces lawsuits from fewer than 5 000 owners of 2 0-liter diesels who opted out of the settlement as well as some shareholder suits and numerous lawsuits filed by states for violating pollution laws VW also has settled a U S criminal investigation by agreeing to pay $4 3 billion but a probe of employee behavior continues with seven people charged in the U S In all VW will pay more than $20 billion to settle civil and criminal claims in the U S alone Also pending is whether VW can adequately fix some older 2 0-liter engines If it can’t VW will have to buy back all vehicles with the smaller diesel engines A March 3 deadline is approaching Legal issues also remain in Europe Former CEO Martin Winterkorn and 36 others are under criminal investigation in Germany where investors also are suing the company Volkswagen shares plunged after the scandal broke in September of 2015
Under Tuesday’s proposed settlement owners of 20 000 older 3 0-liter models dating back to 2009-2012 which cannot be fixed to meet pollution standards will be offered buybacks or trade-ins In addition they will receive compensation ranging from $7 755 to $13 880 according to a statement from owners’ attorneys People who bought 58 000 newer cars from model years 2013-16 which can be fixed will get compensation of $7 039 to $16 114 Volkswagen says those cars can be made to comply with pollution limits If VW can’t fix the newer cars to regulators’ satisfaction then the owners’ attorneys will go back to court to seek buybacks VW’s proposed repair must win approval from U S environmental authorities by an agreed deadline If not buybacks could push the cost as high as the $4 04 billion laid out in court documents The deal must still get court approval to take effect Volkswagen said final approval would take at least until May
Also Tuesday parts supplier Robert Bosch GmbH agreed to pay $327 5 million to settle claims from consumers and dealers regarding 2 0-liter and 3 0-liter engines while not accepting it was at fault Typical 2 0-liter owners will get $350 in addition to what they get from VW while 3 0-liter owners will get about $1 500 said Elizabeth Cabraser lead attorney for the owners Bosch made the so-called “defeat device” that enabled the cheating Bosch CEO Volkmar Denner said the company settled so it could focus on its business
Ms Cabraser said she’s confident that the VW settlements will be completed even if President Donald Trump cuts personnel at the EPA which has to review all of the engine repairs noting that Judge Breyer and the California Air Resources Board are still involved The former head of Mr Trump’s transition team at the agency has said he expects significant budget and staff cuts Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen has admitted it equipped diesel engines with software that detected when the vehicle was being tested and turned the emissions controls off during every day driving The result was cars that emitted some 40 times the U S limits of nitrogen oxides a pollutant that can harm people’s health Some 11 million cars worldwide have the deceptive software 2017 02 02 01 49 By Dav d www pos gaze e com
Empire State Winter Games set to begin
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LAKE PLACID N Y (AP) - The 37th annual Empire State Winter Games are set to begin
Organizers have inspected the competition venues and checked the weather forecast for the events taking place over the weekend As much as two feet of snow has blanketed New York’s North Country since last week just in time for the 29 different sport disciplines to be staged in six communities It’s anticipated that a record number of athletes more than 2 200 will enter the events which include snowboarding skiing bobsled luge skeleton speed skating hockey and broomball to name just a few Most athletes will participate in the Opening Ceremony on Thursday evening in the Lake Placid Olympic Center’s Herb Brooks Arena Competition begins Friday 2017 02 02 01 49 By www wash ng on mes com
Bookkeeper admits stealing $500 000 from doctor's office
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BUFFALO N Y (AP) - A former bookkeeper who says she’s a compulsive buyer admits to stealing $500 000 from the doctor’s office where she worked Justine Smith of Buffalo pleaded guilty in Erie County Court Wednesday District Attorney John Flynn says the 56-year-old stole the money by falsifying business records while working at a doctor’s office in the Buffalo suburb of Amherst from 2011 to 2016 She told authorities she suffers from a compulsive buying disorder Smith faces up to 15 years in prison when she’s sentenced in May 2017 02 02 01 49 By www wash ng on mes com
Machine beats humans for the first time in poker
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– Artificial intelligence has made history by beating humans in poker for the first time the last remaining game in which humans had managed to maintain the upper hand Libratus an AI built by Carnegie Mellon University racked up over $1 7 million worth of chips against four of the top professional poker players in the world in a 20-day marathon poker tournament that ended on Tuesday in Philadelphia While machines have beaten humans over the last two decade in chess checkers and most recently in the ancient game of Go Libratus’ victory is significant because poker is an imperfect information game — similar to the real world where not all problems are laid out and the difficulty in figuring out human behavior is one of the main reasons why it was considered immune to machines “The best AI’s ability to do strategic reasoning with imperfect information has now surpassed that of the best humans ” said Tuomas Sandholm professor of computer science at CMU who created Libratus with a Ph D student Noam Brown said on Wednesday The victory prompted inquiries from companies all over the world seeking to use Libratus’ algorithm for problem solving “It can be used in any situation where information is incomplete including business negotiation military strategy cyber security and medical treatment ” Sandholm said One of the main reasons for Libratus’ victory was the machine’s ability outbluff humans “The computer can’t win at poker if it can’t bluff ” said Frank Pfenning head of the Computer Science Department at CMU “Developing an AI that can do that successfully is a tremendous step forward scientifically and has numerous applications Imagine that your smartphone will someday be able to negotiate the best price on a new car for you That’s just the beginning ” Dong Kim one of the four top poker players who participated in the tournament echoed the statement The 28-year old originally from Seattle had also participated in a similar poker tournament with another AI machine built by CMU in 2015 named Claudico “It was about half way through the challenge (with Libratus when) I knew we wouldn’t come back ” said Kim “It had less bugs in the algorithm We just ran over Claudico bluffed it everywhere but this time I felt like it was the other way around ” In the battle against Claudico the human players racked up more than $700 000 over 80 000 hands winning almost every day of the tournament In the same 2017 heads-up no limit Texas Hold’em battle the four human players only won five days out of 20 and split a $200 000 prize based on their performance 2017 02 02 01 48 Reu ers eedproxy goog e com
Feds: Orlando killer’s widow admitted to knowing terrorist attack was planned
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OAKLAND Calif — Federal prosecutors described the wife of the Orlando Fla nightclub killer as “calculating and callous ” who knew her husband planned a terror attack on the nightclub last summer and did nothing to stop it Wednesday’s hearing a proceeding to determine whether Noor Salman could be released on bond represented the first time that the government substantially described the allegations that last month led a grand jury in Orlando to return an indictment The Rodeo Calif woman went on three casing trips and told FBI investigators that she saw her husband watching violent jihadi videos in front of their young son and even heard him say “This is the day ” before he left But she did nothing prosecutors said as they argued Wednesday at a detention hearing to keep Ms Salman 30 behind bars “He walks out with a gun and a backpack full of ammo; there can’t be a doubt in her mind that he’s going to carry out an attack ” Assistant U S Attorney Sara Sweeney said Omar Mateen 29 who declared his allegiance to the Islamic State group was killed by SWAT officers after he killed 49 people and wounded more than 50 others at the Pulse nightclub on June 12 2016 It was the deadliest attack involving a single gunman and the deadliest targeting the LGTB community in the U S Ms Salman is facing life in prison on charges that she aided her husband in a terrorist attack and obstruction of justice Defense attorneys said Wednesday that Ms Salman is getting scapegoated by the government for horrific crimes committed by her husband alone They described her as a former special-education student with learning disabilities who was physically and mentally abused by Mateen and lived an isolated life focused on their young son “What we heard today was the case against Omar Mateen This was not a case against Noor Salman ” defense attorney Linda Moreno said “The government laid out a theoretical extremely thin prosecution case against Noor that was based on speculation based on statements they claim she made during an 18-hour interrogation that was conducted without counsel “We frankly expected more ” Ms Moreno said of the prosecution’s evidence “We now know there is no more to this case ” Ms Salman has been on suicide watch at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin since she was arrested at her family’s Rodeo home on Jan 16 about seven months after the massacre Dressed in a red jail jumpsuit and wearing her hair in braids she spent the hearing taking notes and passing them to her attorney with a trembling hand At times she silently cried and wiped tears She periodically looked to her family members many of whom were crying themselves as they filled an entire row in the courtroom gallery Ms Salman was petitioning a court to change the name of her 4-year-old son named after Mateen before her arrest and had cited fears for his safety U S District Judge Donna Ryu on Wednesday ordered a psychological evaluation for her consideration before she decides whether Ms Salman should be released on bond and under what conditions
While defense attorneys argued that she poses no danger to the community Ms Sweeney described her as a “calculating and callous person ” She said Ms Salman came up a with a cover story telling Mateen’s family that he was going out to dinner with a friend Ms Salman was aware of her husband’s allegiance to IS and told authorities he watched IS recruitment and other “jihad-style” videos for two years including in front of their son Ms Sweeney said Ms Sweeney said Ms Salman went on three “casing” trips to Orlando with Mateen including to the Pulse nightclub and to the public Disney World district in Orlando where he asked her “What would make people more upset an attack at Downtown Disney or a club?” Mateen was a security guard who made about $30 000 a year which is about the amount the couple spent in cash and credit card charges in the 10 days leading up to the attack Ms Sweeney said The purchases included a two-carat diamond ring for Ms Salman and an AR-15 used in the massacre Mateen also took Ms Salman to a bank and made her a beneficiary of his bank account in case of his death though he did not put her name on the account according to Ms Sweeney The prosecutor doubted that Ms Salman was battered by Mateen noting that none of her family members reported that to the FBI Defense attorney Charles Swift said “the strength of the government’s case is very much questionable ” Besides being born into a Muslim family Ms Salman is not religious at all Mr Swift said She had no control over his spending or his spending spree before the massacre and lived on an allowance from Mateen of $20 a week he said Mr Swift described Ms Salman’s actions on the night before the early-morning attack as evidence that she had no knowledge of her husband’s plans She spoke on the phone with an uncle making plans for her and her husband and son to visit the San Francisco Bay Area before going to dinner and shopping with her son Mr Swift said As Mateen was traveling to Orlando she was buying him a Father’s Day card and “World’s Greatest Dad” coffee mug for the holiday the next weekend She went to bed early and was awakened by texts from her mother-in-law Mr Swift said Ms Salman is expected to be extradited to Florida for her trial Her next court date in Oakland has not been scheduled “We have to trust the system We have a good justice system ” her uncle Al Salman said 2017 02 02 01 48 By Ma a ka www pos gaze e com
Chicago Cubs acquire RHP Eddie Butler from Colorado Rockies
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The Chicago Cubs acquired Eddie Butler from the Colorado Rockies for fellow right-hander James Farris on Wednesday The Cubs also traded their international bonus money slot No 28 for the Rockies No 94 Butler who turns 26 next month was originally selected by the Rockies in the supplemental first round (46th overall) of the 2012 draft and made his major league debut two years later He spent parts of the last three seasons in the big leagues with Colorado combining to go 6-16 with a 6 50 ERA in 36 appearances (28 starts)
In five minor league seasons Butler went 32-25 with a 3 33 ERA in 87 outings all but one as a starter He split the 2016 campaign between the Rockies and Triple-A Albuquerque going 8-3 with a 4 45 ERA in 15 starts with Albuquerque and 2-5 with a 7 17 ERA in 17 appearances (nine starts) in the big leagues Farris who turns 25 in April was selected by the Cubs in the ninth round of the 2014 draft out of the University of Arizona He is 4-13 with 22 saves and a 2 91 ERA in 88 minor league relief appearances covering the last three seasons To make room for Butler on the 40-man roster right-hander Dylan Floro was designated for assignment Floro 26 was claimed off waivers by the Cubs from Tampa Bay on Jan 17 2017 02 02 01 47 www up com
Russia charges show U S intelligence compromised top cyber-cops
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MOSCOW — Prosecutors in Moscow suspect that U S intelligence compromised one of Russia’s most senior cybersecurity officials and have charged him and at least two others with treason in the case according to a lawyer involved The three were detained in December and include Sergei Mikhailov who was a top official in the information-security division of the Federal Security Service the main successor to the KGB and Dmitry Dokuchaev a member of his staff The third suspect to be named publicly is Ruslan Stoyanov a manager at Kaspersky Lab a Russian cybersecurity company Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday the case isn’t linked to the alleged hacking of U S political parties and election boards that roiled the presidential campaign last year He called such charges — made by U S intelligence late last year — “absurd insinuations ” The three men have been charged with treason for allegedly “interacting” with U S intelligence said Ivan Pavlov a defense lawyer in the case He declined to name his client citing confidentiality “What we know is only the tip of the iceberg ” he said in an interview “We have very limited access to information ” The FSB didn’t respond to repeated requests for comment Other lawyers in the case couldn’t be located The suspects are all being held in pre-trial detention and face up to 20 years in prison if convicted Mr Pavlov said Kaspersky last week confirmed Mr Stoyanov’s arrest but said the alleged crimes didn’t relate to his work at the company and predated his employment there Mr Stoyanov worked in cybersecurity at Russia’s Interior Ministry before joining Kaspersky Once at the company Mr Stoyanov worked closely with Mr Mikhailov’s department at the FSB and the two interacted as part an anti-DDoS project the company developed for clients in Russia according to a person familiar with the cybersecurity firm
“As a private company Kaspersky Lab has no political ties to any government and is proud to collaborate with authorities of many countries and international law enforcement agencies to fight cybercrime including anti-DDoS protection efforts ” the company said in response to a request for comment adding that it doesn’t help any government in offensive efforts Few details of the investigation which has been underway for at least a year have been made public though local media have reported often-conflicting accounts of the case citing unnamed sources
The accusations date back to 2012 according to one person familiar with the case who asked for anonymity to discuss confidential matters Mr Pavlov declined to comment on details of the charges He said there are other defendants as well but didn’t identify them Russian media have reported that the case could be connected to the U S Federal Bureau of Investigation’s warning last August about unauthorized attempts to access the computers of election boards in Arizona and Illinois The owner of the Russian server company later linked to those contacts Vladimir Fomenko said he wasn’t involved in the treason probe and doesn’t know the suspects Pavlov the lawyer also dismissed another explanation of the case reported in the Russian media which suggested a link to hacking attacks in recent years on high-profile Russian officials by a group that called itself Shaltay Boltay (Humpty Dumpty in Russian) The group published purloined emails from senior officials including top Kremlin aides A Moscow court late last year ordered former journalist Vladimir Anikeev held on charges of unauthorized access to computer information by an organized group He had been detained in November Russian media have reported he was linked to Shaltay Boltay although that hasn’t been confirmed officially His lawyer couldn’t be reached 2017 02 02 01 47 By S epan www pos gaze e com
Film review from Illini's home loss to Wisconsin
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Beat writer SCOTT RICHEY took another look at Illinois’ 57-43 home loss to Wisconsin on Tuesday night Four things that caught his eye: CREATING SPACE Wisconsin’s 16-2 run to open the game included three ball-screen actions by Bronson Koenig and two different results The first two opportunities for Koenig saw Illinois center Maverick Morgan hedge toward keeping Ethan Happ from rolling to the rim while Koenig’s defender fought over top of Happ’s screen Koenig used a dribble to create separation and the space Morgan provided to knock down two open jumpers The third saw Michael Finke hedge toward Koenig as Te’Jon Lucas fell fighting over the screen Happ rolled and finished at the rim off Koenig’s assist
(OCCASIONAL) NEW LOOK Illinois followed up its first-half scoring drought by forcing Wisconsin into the same as the half wound down Utilizing what looked like a base 2-3 zone with some 1-2-2 characteristics helped Malcolm Hill floated up from the baseline to the wing Lucas drifted back to the high post and the Illini had a counter for Wisconsin’s attempts to break the zone But per usual stretches of zone defense were fleeting
STRUGGLE TO ADJUST Hill finished the game 4 of 14 from the field against the Badgers Not exactly typical for a guy shooting 44 percent on the season who only shot worse than Tuesday’s 28 percent mark four other times this season Also not typical were Hill’s pair of first-half airballs Wisconsin’s Nigel Hayes said the Badgers wanted to make Hill shoot as many tough shots as possible Those airballs certainly qualified IT GOES BOTH WAYS The Illini rolled the ball to halfcourt to start possessions more than a half dozen times Tuesday night and at various points in the game The goal? Save a little time on the clock That much was achievable but Illinois still burned plenty of shot clock once it started and slowing the pace that much simply allowed a good Wisconsin defense to settle in LIMITED CHARITY On the list of Illinois’ advantages as it tried to mount a second-half comeback was Wisconsin not attempting its first free throws until 11:24 remained in the game Khalil Iverson for all his new-found three-point ability against Illinois managed to miss those freebies and the Badgers didn’t make their first free throws until Hayes knocked down a pair with 6:04 on the clock 2017 02 02 01 46 Sco R chey www news gaze e com
WATCH: Nintendo Switch Super Bowl Commercial 2017
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Nintendo is very serious about its next gaming device the hybrid video game console dubbed Nintendo Switch as the company released its first-ever Super Bowl commercial in advance of Super Bowl 51 The thirty-second advertisement is similar to previous adverts as it focuses on the Switch’s main feature: being able to play at home on a TV or on the go The commercial shows a Millennial playing Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the handheld variation of the gaming console After cooking breakfast he plugs in the tablet-powered console into a dock and continues playing Zelda on the TV While the above commercial will be aired between plays of the New England Patriot vs Atlanta Falcon championship football game Nintendo has released an extended cut of same commercial on YouTube that can be seen below The extended cut features gameplay of additional titles; like Splatoon 2 1-2 Switch Mario Kart 8 ARMS and Ultra Street Fighter 2 Although there have been complaints Nintendo is also venturing into its first paid online service Launching for Switch the unnamed service will be cheaper than an Xbox Live subscription or PlayStation Plus and will only cost around $17 60 to $26 40 annually Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimisima told investors this week that there were now more than 100 titles in development from more than 70 different publishers for Switch The Nintendo Switch sees worldwide release on March 3 with select titles available on day on like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Other big-name titles such as Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon 2 will see future release You can pre-order the Nintendo Switch for $299 via Frys com 2017 02 02 01 46 N c Huber heavy com
Ottawa Senators acquire F Marc Hagel from Minnesota Wild
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The Ottawa Senators acquired forward Marc Hagel from the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday in exchange for future considerations Hagel 28 is in his fourth professional season spending the majority of his career with the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League In 26 games this season he recorded two goals and five assists Over the course of his time in Des Moines Hagel played in 192 games recording 74 points (26 goals 48 assists) He ranks among the all-time Iowa leaders for games played (first) goals (third) assists (third) and points (fourth) Hagel will be assigned to the Binghamton Senators Ottawa s AHL affiliate 2017 02 02 01 46 www up com
Juice vendor tricycle driver killed in Pangasinan mishaps
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LINGAYEN Pangasinan — A juice vendor and a tricycle driver were killed in two separate road accidents in Pangasinan province on Wednesday Melissa Salinas 20 who sold buko juice was thrown off a motorcycle which was sideswiped by an overtaking truck at 10:40 a m in Mapandan town Police said the woman’s head was crushed by the truck’s right wheel The motorcyle driver Allen Capati 18 was treated at the Mapandan Community Hospital for minor injuries The truck driver Mark Joseph Manlongat 21 has been arrested In San Fabian town Laurence Guillermo 28 was driving his tricycle when it collided with a van along the national road in Barangay Alacan at 5:40 p m The van driver Romel Francisco 29 was hurt Guillermo died while being taken to a hospital CBB 2017 02 02 01 45 Gabr e Card noza news n o nqu rer ne
Rally to mark anniversary of NYC fatal police-involved shooting of teen Ramarley Graham
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The family of a teen from the Bronx is marking the fifth anniversary of his death in a police-involved shooting by holding a rally demanding the firing of 12 police officers NYPD officers said they thought they saw a gun on 18-year-old Ramarley Graham on Feb 2 2012 when he left a bodega and they followed him home Officer Richard Haste burst into the home pushed aside an 8-year-old who was in the home and found Graham 18 in a bathroom the family says They say Haste shot him in front of his grandmother and then 6-year-old brother and later threatened the grandmother Haste has said he thought he saw a gun on Ramarley when he entered the home but no weapon was ever found A judge threw out the first criminal trial on a technicality A grand jury declined to indict at a second trial The family received a $3 9 million settlement from the City of New York in a civil trial but still wants the officers to be accountable Constance Malcolm Graham s mother told USA TODAY on Wednesday An internal NYPD trial is taking place now "Tomorrow it makes five years since Ramarley was murdered and they have to be held accountable " Constance Malcolm 44 said "They are still getting pay raises and getting promotions " A spokesman for Mayor Bill de Blasio expressed condolences and concern for Graham s relatives “The death of Ramarley Graham was a tragedy and our heart breaks for his family " spokesman Austin Finan said in an email late Wednesday "The NYPD s internal disciplinary process remains underway and we look forward to a swift resolution " The NYPD press office did not respond to an email sent Wednesday night Malcolm said Graham was a kind young man who liked to share and who loved animals If he d had time to figure out what he wanted to do with his life he might have decided to become a veterinarian she said He volunteered at a pet store just to be around animals she said "He was loyal " Malcolm said "If you were not eating and he had food he would share with you If he had money his friends had money He loved his family especially his younger brother He helped him with homework played games with him " The rally is slated for 5 p m ET in Foley Square near City Hall and the courts The mothers of Sean Bell a Queens man shot on the morning of his wedding in 2006 and Mohamed Bah an armed mentally ill man shot and killed by police in 2012 after they burst into his home also will be there 2017 02 02 01 43 Me an e Evers ey rss eeds usa oday com
Qantas releases 2017 safety video
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Qantas new in-flight safety video that promised to embrace the spirit of Australia has been warmly received by social media users for its portrayal of the country The clip which is an alternative take on the standard safety procedure run-through features an eclectic mix of everyday Australians from window cleaners to models The clever clip sees dancers demonstrating how to brace for impact and kangaroos being scared of a mobile - prompting passengers to switch their own to flight mode Bangarra dancers appear in the safety clip to show passengers how to brace for impact Kangaroos are used to serve as a reminder mobile phones must be switched to flight mode The six-minute safety briefing opens with a welcoming message from a Melbourne couple fishing at St Kilda Pier The New South Wales Hunter Valley is the next destination to be featured with a local balloon pilot followed by a further 14 destinations around Australia There are members of the Wild Oats XI crew demonstrating how to put on a lifejacket while on Sydney Harbour A wedding featuring first-year theatre students in Western Australia is used to alert passengers to the nearest emergency exit while Darwin fire spinners serve as a reminder that smoking is banned on planes A Wild Oats XI shows how to put on a life jacket This wedding scene is used to illustrate the path to the nearest emergency exit A Darwin fire spinner lets passengers know smoking is not allowed on the plane The window cleaner high above the Gold Coast skyline while working on the Q1 residential tower relates his own story of how strapping in is a match which you are up in the air Models are seen strolling down a Melbourne catwalk wearing oxygen masks after being helped by fashion designer Daniel Avakian Other scenes include the Field of Lights at Uluru Canberra Moreton Island Darwin Hobart Mt Hotham Barossa Valley and Port Lincoln The video has received overwhelmingly positive feedback on social media since it was unveiled with barely a negative comment in sight A window cleaner on the Gold Coast tells passengers to buckle up in the air A model shows passengers how to put on an oxygen masks The airline s Facebook Twitter and YouTube pages have been inundated with supportive comments Smashed it out of the park again!! Well done Qantas!! Erryn Schettino said Jenny Diab said: Well done Qantas! Everyday Australians! Saw the safety video on a recent QF flight Very clever Brilliant! One of the few criticisms was that people thought the video was too long for regular travellers to watch repeatedly Uluru is one of many Australian destinations to be featured in the safety video The video is now screening across Qantas domestic and international flights with numerous versions to accommodate 11 different languages What we ve found is that it s a lot easier to grab people s attention with something that s interesting to watch Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said We know the combination of beautiful landscapes and laid back Aussie charm really cuts through It s also why this video doubles as a perfect tourism ad We’re confident it’ll strike a chord with travellers from around the world not to mention Australians thinking about holidaying at home 2017 02 02 01 43 Bryan Heves www da yma co uk
New York Jets name Stump Mitchell as running backs coach
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The New York Jets hired Stump Mitchell on Wednesday to be their new running backs coach Mitchell who played nine seasons for the Cardinals coached the last four seasons in Arizona Mitchell will be reunited with Jets head coach Todd Bowles They were assistants for two seasons (2013-2014) in Arizona on Bruce Arians staff Mitchell entered the NFL coaching ranks as the Seattle Seahawks running backs coach from 1999-2007 He spent two years with the Washington Redskins and three years as the head coach at Southern University (2010-12) 2017 02 02 01 43 www up com
Philrem president allowed to travel while facing graft rap
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Salud Bautista the president of Philrem Services Corp embroiled in an $81-million money laundering controversy was allowed by the Sandiganbayan to travel to Belgium to visit her uncle In a resolution the anti-graft court Sixth Division granted Bautista’s motion to travel to Belgium via Paris France from Feb 7 to 19 to visit an ailing uncle This as she faces graft charges in the anomalous Werfast case of dismissed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima READ: Philrem president posts bail in graft case with ex-PNP chief
Purisima a friend of former President Benigno Aquino III and 16 others have been charged with one count of graft for acting allegedly with manifest partiality evident bad faith and gross inexcusable negligence when they awarded the courier contract to the firm Werfast Documentary Agency Inc READ: Purisima faces graft over anomalous courier deal Bautista was implicated as an incorporator of Werfast which was in a joint venture with Philrem and CMIT Consultancy Group Inc The court set the usual conditions for Bautista before she was allowed to travel – she should post a travel bond of P30 000 and she should travel to no other place besides Belgium The court also required her to leave for Belgium not earlier than Feb 7 and be back not later than Feb 19 She was also required to present herself before the Clerk of Court within five days after her return The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division had found probable cause to try Purisima and his coaccused for graft and thus issued the arrest warrant READ: Purisima asks court to dismiss graft raps in courier deal Bautista is the last in their group to post bail after Purisima and the others paid their P30 000 for their provisional liberty Purisima and Werfast Purisima voluntarily surrendered to the court even though the dismissed police chief was served his warrant of arrest upon arriving at the airport from Butuan City READ: Purisima surrenders wearing shorts In filing the graft charge the Office of the Special Prosecutor said Purisima violated Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act when he gave unwarranted benefit to Werfast Purisima entered into a memorandum of agreement with Werfast and accredited the firm as the PNP’s courier service provider for all firearms license applications despite its failure to comply with government regulations He and the respondents also approved the delivery by courier of firearms license as a mandatory policy in the PNP
The prosecution said Werfast failed to seek prior registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission and failed to get authority from the Department of Transportation and Communications to operate a delivery service as well as an accreditation from the Department of Science and Technology Also ordered arrested were the following accused: retired Police Director Gil Meneses; dismissed Police Chief Supt Raul Petrasanta a former official of Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) and Central Luzon police director; and dismissed FEO officials Chief Supt Napoleon Estilles; Senior Superintendents Allan Parreño Melchor Reyes and Eduardo Acierto; Senior Insp Ford Tuazon; Supt Lenbell Fabia; and Chief Inspectors Sonia Calixto Nelson Bautista and Ricardo Zapata Jr Besides Bautista Werfast incorporators Mario Juan Enrique Valerio Lorna Perena and Juliana Pasia were also ordered arrested Bautista is the president of Philrem the money remittance firm at the center of an alleged money laundering scheme where $81 million was allegedly stolen by hackers in the Bangladesh Bank and stashed in the Philippines Bautista faces a money laundering complaint before the Department of Justice READ: Philrem execs deny involvement in $81M laundering Graft is a criminal offense bailable upon posting P30 000 bond for each count Earlier the Ombudsman dismissed Purisima Petrasanta and others for the administrative offense of grave misconduct serious dishonesty and grave abuse of authority The officials were forfeited their retirement benefits and barred from being reemployed in government READ: Purisima Petrasanta 9 other PNP officers dismissed from service In ordering the graft charges the Ombudsman said Purisima entered into a courier service contract with Werfast although the latter had no corporate existence and juridical personality when they entered into a MOA in May 2011 The Ombudsman found that no public bidding was conducted and the MOA was entered into although Werfast lacked track record as a courier service company Purisima and the other officials also admitted that the accreditation documents from Werfast were incomplete and met only the minimum requirements The respondents also gave absolute credence to the company’s representative that it had a joint venture with CMIT Consultancy Group and Philrem The Ombudsman’s investigation also showed that Werfast engaged the services of LBC which cost P190 for deliveries within Metro Manila and P290 outside while other courier service providers charge only P90 within Manila Petrasanta already faces a separate graft trial before the Sandiganbayan for the missing AK-47 assault rifles allegedly sold to communist rebels
Purisima was recently charged with sacked Special Action Force (SAF) Commander Getulio Napeñas for the Mamasapano carnage — graft and usurpation of powers for violating the police chain of command in the botched antiterror raid “Oplan Exodus” that resulted in the deaths of 44 elite cops in Mamasapano Maguindanao JE/rga RELATED STORIES Aquino’s pal Petrasanta cops face arrest over AK-47 deal Purisima Napeñas charged for Mamasapano carnage 2017 02 02 01 43 Marc Jayson news n o nqu rer ne
Aggies take out the league's top team
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By Jeff Hunter For the Deseret News LOGAN — It was a night that the Aggies won t soon forget And an evening the Wolf Pack surely wish they could A matchup between the first- and last-place teams went decidedly in Utah State s favor with the Aggies knocking out the Mountain West Conference frontrunners 74-57 Wednesday night at the Spectrum
"We played really hard The first half was really close the second half we kind of blew it open a little bit " USU senior forward Jalen Moore said "It feels good to get two wins in a row and now we get to go play the second-place team Winning tonight shows that we can play with anybody and beat anybody It was a huge confidence boost for us and we needed that " Coming into the night Nevada (7-3 in the Mountain West 18-5 overall) had won six of its last seven games and were first in the conference in scoring (79 8 ppg) and 3-point field goal percentage (39 0 percent) and fourth in field goal percentage (45 4 percent) But in front of 6 122 fans at the Spectrum the Wolf Pack shot just 31 9 percent from the field while connecting on a mere 4 of 26 3-point attempts "Obviously it was the best defensive performance since I took over " declared second-year USU head coach Tim Duryea "We were talking as a staff and considering the competition and considering the importance of the game in terms of our path and trying to dig ourselves out of the hole we ve put ourselves in I thought it was an A-plus defensive performance for 40 minutes " Offensively freshman guard Koby McEwen continued to shine for the Aggies (4-6 10-11) scoring 26 points and grabbing six rebounds Senior forward Jalen Moore (13 points 15 rebounds seven assists) flirted with a triple-double while freshman guard Sam Merrill added 13 points five rebounds and four assists However it was Merrill s defense that his coach and teammates couldn t stop talking about after the game Primarily charged with guarding Marcus Marshall the Mountain West s leading scorer at 21 1 ppg the Bountiful High product had a lot to do with Nevada s senior guard going 1 for 12 from the floor and 0 for 7 from 3-point range while scoring just two points "A lot of guys did a lot of good things but the job that Sam Merrill did on Marcus Marshall I didn t think it was possible " Duryea said of Merrill who didn t pick up a foul in 36 minutes of court time "I was thinking that if we held the league s leading scorer to 12 or 13 points that we d be in great shape but Sam — and Shane (Rector) guarded him for a few possessions — did a phenomenal job " Tied 25-25 at halftime the Aggies shot 68 2 percent from the field in the second half to pull away by as many as 19 points The home team ended up shooting 49 0 percent for the game while going 7 for 19 from 3-point range and 17 for 26 from the freethrow line While neither team led by more than three points in the first half Utah State slowly managed to pull away midway through the second half as the Aggies started to connect on some shots while the Pack s shooting just got worse Merrill came through with possibly the biggest play of that period burying a 3-pointer from the top of the key as the shot clock was winding down to stretch USU s advantage to 59-49 with about four minutes to go "Sam made the shot of the game " Duryea said "The shot clock is going down we don t have a lot going the game is turning and he makes a 3 to put us back up 10 " Rebounding was key to USU pulling off the upset In addition to Moore s career-high 15 boards the Aggies got a career-best 13 rebounds from sophomore Alexis Dargenton and overall outboarded the Wolf Pack 50 to 36 "That was awesome to see " Duryea said of Moore and Dargenton s 28 combined rebounds "Alexis blamed Jalen in the locker room for stealing one of his rebounds or he would have had 14 " The Aggies suffered through two scary moments in the win one early in the contest and one in the final moments
While guarding D J Fenner just over two minutes into the game McEwen stripped the ball out of the Nevada guard s hands but then Fenner ended up kicking his right leg out and catching McEwen in the chin with his foot As McEwen crumpled to the floor Fenner grabbed the ball and went to the rim where his attempt was blocked by Dargenton But at that point the officials called time reviewed the play and ended us assessing Fenner with a flagrant foul McEwen was able to shoot the free throws and ended up playing 33 minutes Then with 3:16 left in the game and the Aggies up 60-49 Rector chased down a long rebound and sprinted for the basket with Nevada forward Cameron Oliver on his heels The senior point guard attempted a dunk but was fouled by Oliver — the fifth for Nevada s second-leading scorer — and went down hard underneath the basket "He s going to need stitches over his eye and he fell awkwardly on his wrist " Duryea said of Rector "They are monitoring him for a concussion; he s not in concussion protocol yet they ll probably know more tonight or tomorrow " If he doesn t have a concussion the thing that will hurt him Saturday more than anything is the wrist He got it caught under him when he fell That was a brutal collision But I saw him going in He knew he had to go try and dunk it; any layup there Oliver blocks " Oliver ended up scoring 14 points and pulling down 13 rebounds before his early exit while Fenner and sophomore swingman Jordan Caroline both finished with 15 points
"I thought Utah State was phenomenal in the second half " Nevada head coach Eric Musselman said "Marcus couldn’t get going at all We were stagnant on offense and played our worst game of the year and we played on the road against a team that has a lot of talent Their record does not indicate who they are at all " 2017 02 02 01 43 Je Hun er www desere news com
Lim opens PH’s Davis Cup bid vs Indonesia
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First-timer Alberto Lim Jr is given the daunting task of opening for Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine Davis Cup team which begins its Asia/Oceania Group 2 tie against Indonesia on Friday at Philippine Columbian Association indoor shell/clay courts The 17-year-old Lim will take on Indonesian top gunner David Agung Susanto in first of the opening singles which start at 3 p m Ruben Gonzales the country’s No 1 player will square off with Aditya Hari Sasongko in the second rubber Filipino World No 26 Treat Huey and 2009 Australian Open juniors doubles champion Francis Casey Alcantara will face Anthony Susanto and Sunu-Wahyu Trijati in Saturday’s doubles at 2 p m Gonzales will then battle Susanto while Lim will clash with Sasongko in Sunday’s reverse rubbers which start at 1 p m “Davis Cup is about match-ups and we saw how AJ (Lim) is suited for team events because of his swag ” said PH non-playing captain Karl Santamaria “I think Indonesia were surprised by that move ” Lim said he is ready to step up the plate although he admitted that he’s nervous to start for Philippines “I’m very nervous but when you think about it I have nothing to lose because he’s (Susanto) is older and even has a world ranking ” said Lim who is considered the country’s next tennis star 2017 02 02 01 41 Marc An hony spor s nqu rer ne
Cebu drug pusher falls in PDEA sting
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CEBU CITY — Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) arrested an alleged drug peddler during a buy bust operation in Barangay Carreta Cebu City on Wednesday evening Rolly Frasco did not resist arrest said PDEA-7 spokesperson Earl Rallos Also arrested were Locrisio Talisic Romeo Patangan Samia Sepulveda and a 17-year-old girl who were found inside the house of Frasco Seized from them were several packs of shabu amounting to P100 000 and assorted drug paraphernalia Charges of violating Republic Act 9168 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act particularly for selling shabu will be filed against Frasco The other suspects will be charged with “visiting a drug den ” CBB/rga 2017 02 02 01 41 Ador V ncen news n o nqu rer ne
Reports: Boy rescued from 'suspicious' Plano apartment fire had throat slashed
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Investigators believe the mother of a 5-year-old boy rescued from a Plano apartment fire Monday may have intentionally set the blaze according to court documents obtained by WFAA-TV (Channel 8) The woman had severe burns and died at an area hospital Her young son was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in critical condition A firefighter at the scene said the boy was found in the kitchen in a pool of blood Court documents indicated his throat was slashed and his skull fractured WFAA reported It s unclear who cut the boy A knife was found at the scene The fire started about 4:40 p m Monday at the Villas of Preston Creek apartments in the 6900 block of Preston Road near Legacy Drive Officials told WFAA that the fire was "suspicious " Fire investigators determined that the fire had been started in multiple spots around the apartment Police are investigating the fire as a criminal act 2017 02 02 01 41 Connec W h www da asnews com
Maoist attack kills 8 policemen in eastern India
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At least eight policemen were killed in a land mine blast suspected to have been carried out by Maoist rebels in their stronghold in eastern India police said Thursday Senior police officer K B Singh said another five policemen were injured when their vehicle was blown up late Wednesday in Koraput region nearly 550 kilometers (345 miles) south of Bhubaneshwar the capital of Orissa state The injured have been hospitalized Singh said Thursday Authorities recovered four bodies from the site and another four died in a hospital later police said They were young recruits being trained as police drivers Singh said
The insurgents who say they are inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong have been fighting for more than three decades in central and eastern India staging hit-and-run attacks against authorities as they demand a greater share of wealth from the area s natural resources and more jobs for farmers and the poor The government says the rebels are India s biggest internal security threat They operate in 20 of India s 29 states and have thousands of fighters according to the Home Ministry 2017 02 02 01 40 The Assoc a ed www hera don ne com
Gorsuch and Sessions: Sensational
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The headline says it all It’s almost too much euphoria for a conservative heart to absorb On Tuesday President Donald Trump appointed Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court On Wednesday Sen Jefferson Sessions was confirmed by the Senate as Trump’s pick for attorney general Sure some geriatric lefty had to dampen the joy of the moment by going berserk but you have to expect these things My goodness they couldn’t be better choices: intelligence grit conviction backbone and commitment to no-nonsense policies Do you remember the NeverTrumper’s Serenade? No it was never a hit but it did find a niche with defeatist Republicans who wanted to keep playing the Capitol Hill game The words went something like this: Trump is not a real conservative; Vote for Jeb and exercise your prerogative
If Trump’s choices for the court and attorney general was his sole act as president he would still be more worthy of the title conservative than the establishment Republicans who fought so long and underhandedly to keep Trump as far away from the White House as possible I know my friend Tony Perkins at the Family Research Council can barely contain his enthusiasm today There were some weak-kneed evangelicals who didn’t want to support Trump because of all the scandalous accusations that the Democrats had suggested manufactured and resurrected during the campaign Some thought he wasn’t a model Christian gentleman
But Tony had it right I remember talking to him over the WikiLeaks revelations that John Podesta and Clinton’s inner circle had very little time or respect for conservative Catholics or evangelicals – essentially writing them off as deluded fanatics who kept getting in the way of progress I asked him why he was so staunchly supporting Trump for president and didn’t saying so His reply: it was all about Trump’s promise to appoint a conservative judge to the SCOTUS – and that should be enough for evangelicals to consider because they knew what they would be getting if Clinton won the election: more far-left social re-engineering
Well Trump kept that promise – just like he seems to be keeping all of his other promises no matter what the push-back or hysteria from the left Hell the media called him a racist demagogue all through the campaign so I’m sure he’s used to it by now But whereas most career politicians might be able to deliver a pizza – Trump is delivering the goods I know that we have become accustomed to the political class routinely grinding their election pledges into dust as a part of the febrile system that has slowly driven our expectations for government into a civics lesson progressively lower But Trump really does seem to be a man who never learnt that toxic political lesson So perhaps that explains the shock and outrage from the Left each time Trump announces that he is going to fulfill a policy that he announced during the campaign You mean he was serious? The left’s response to this new reality is the very definition of denial as they somehow pretend that this all isn’t happening or that they can prevent it from happening through anarchy in the streets or madness in Congress Sorry folks Time to smell the coffee Time to wake up With Trump you never know what’s going to happen any given week but you can bet there will be more reasons for that resilient and enduring silent majority to believe that sanity has returned to America Follow David on Twitter 2017 02 02 01 40 Dav d Krayden da yca er com
Davis 3-pointer helps Texas to victory over Texas Tech
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AUSTIN Texas (AP) — Eric Davis Jr has finally regained the confidence he developed as a 3-point marksman last season He scored 15 points including a 3-pointer from the right corner with 28 8 seconds remaining and Texas beat Texas Tech 62-58 on Wednesday night Davis who hit 38 percent from 3-point range as a freshman last year lingered below 20-percent shooting from distance much of this season But he has hit 10 of 21 in the last three games including 3 of 6 against Tech “I’ve been hitting a few shots lately so it gives me the ability to be more aggressive hunting shots ” Davis said Texas (9-13 3-6 Big 12) has not lost to Tech in Austin since 1996 a span of 21 victories Jarrett Allen led Texas with 19 points and eight rebounds Andrew Jones added 11 including a free throw with six seconds left that secured the victory and seven assists Keenan Evans led the Red Raiders with 15 points Anthony Livingston scored 14 Niem Stevenson added 12 and Zach Smith grabbed 13 rebounds Tech (15-7 3-6) fell to 0-5 in Big 12 road games Livingston made one of two free throws to tie the game at 58 with 53 7 seconds after Davis gave Texas the lead with a driving layup “They’ve been in (and lost) a lot of close games ” Tech coach Chris Beard said “Tonight they had a different poise They played great the last five-six minutes ” Texas used a 13-4 run over the first five minutes of the second half to take an 11-point lead but a jumper by Livingston capped an 11-2 spurt and Tech led 55-52 with 5:04 to go The Red Raiders missed their final eight shots from there “Give Texas credit with their length defenses ” Beard said “They mixed up defenses a little bit ” BIG PICTURE Texas Tech: The Red Raiders began the game ranked second in the Big 12 and 12th nationally in field-goal percentage (49 3) their best mark since the 1988-89 season They shot a season-low 35 6 percent Wednesday Texas: Jones a freshman trying — and sometimes struggling — to move from playing off the ball to point guard had back-to-back assists during the Longhorns’ 13-4 run to start the second half He capped the surge with a 3-pointer COOL GUY Jarrett Allen the 6-foot-11 freshman does not display much emotion on the court “I’ve always been this way Allen said after his 19-point performance against Texas Tech “People say I’ve been too calm ” Beard sees no reason for Allen to change “I like his demeanor ” Beard said “Sometimes what can be misunderstood as unemotional is actually toughness ” UP NEXT Tech hosts Oklahoma on Saturday night The Red Raiders lost at Oklahoma 84-75 on Jan 14 Oklahoma has won four of the last five against Tech The Longhorns are at TCU on Saturday afternoon On Jan 11 TCU snapped a 14-game losing streak over a period of 30 years in Austin with a 64-61 victory Need a break? Play a quick game of solitaire or Sudoku Or take one of our fun quizzes! With the second month of 2017 around the corner see what events will be happening around town 2017 02 02 01 39 The Assoc a ed w op com
Escudero: Aguirre not yet off the hook in BI bribery scandal
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Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he is not yet convinced that Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II had nothing to do with the P50-million bribery scandal at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) even after some of those allegedly involved had already cleared him “Ang nag-clear pa lang sa kanya si Ginoong Sombero pero hindi pa ako nakahandang gawin yun (Only Mister Sombero has cleared him but I’m not yet ready to do the same) ” Escudero said during the Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday He was referring to retired police senior superintendent Wally Sombero who reportedly handed P50 million to former BI Associate Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles allegedly in exchange for the release of 1 316 Chinese workers of gambling mogul Jack Lam at Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Clark Pampanga During Tuesday’s hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee Aguirre claimed that Sombero sent him a text message “clearing” him of any knowledge on the “extortion scandal ” But Escudero said he does not believe that the Justice Secretary was off the hook just because Sombero said it so He said he wants Sombero to face the committee so they could scrutinize and examine him The senator then cited some lingering questions that he thinks Aguirre had not sufficiently answered when he testified at the Senate “Una bakit ka makikipag meet kay Sombero at Jack Lam sa hotel kung tungkol sa trabaho ang pag uusapan (First why would he meet Sombero and Jack Lam at a hotel if they would discuss work-related matters)?” he said
Aguirre who appeared twice in the Senate probe admitted that he agreed to meet with Lam and Sombero at the Shangri-La hotel in Taguig last November 26 to discuss the arrest of Chinese workers since he was also attending an awarding ceremony in the same venue Also present during the meeting were Lam’s two interpreters and Argosino
Escudero also asked why Aguirre would delegate Argosino to face Lam instead of BI Commissioner Jaime Morente and why the Justice Secretary had instructed Sombero to just talk to the two former immigration officials and not to former BI Intelligence chief Charles Calima
“So hindi pa ako masyadong kumbinsido dun pero nasa kay Robles at Argoisno yun kung aamin sila at ituturo nila kung sino ba talaga kung meron mang nag utos sa kanila (So I’m not yet convinced on that but it depends on Robles and Argoisno if they will admit and point to anyone who ordered them) ” he said The senator said Aguirre’s lability would depend if Robles or Argosino would eventually point to him as the one who ordered them to receive money from Sombero Escudero nevertheless believes that Aguirre committed “indiscretion” when he agreed to meet with Lam and Sombero outside his office “That is clearly indiscretion on his part which he should have not done ” he said The senator also questioned Aguirre’s claim that he was not aware of the amount being offered by Lam’s camp and that the P50 million to P100 million that he mentioned in an interview was just his own estimate
“Sabi nya tingin daw nya yun ang halaga nya? Pinag iisipan pala nya yun na ito yung halaga ko bilang Justice Secretary Cheap ang P50 million P100 million pwede na Ganun ba yun (He only estimated the amount? He thought that is his price as the Justice Secretary P50 million is cheap P100 million is more appropriate Is that it)?” Escudero asked Still the senator said he would want to see the whole picture before making any conclusions
“The committee can make recommendation in so far as any criminal and or administrative sanctions that can be imposed on them but bear in mind he’s (Aguirre) an alter ego of the President Only the President can administratively sanction him not the Senate ” he added RAM 2017 02 02 01 39 Ma a Ager news n o nqu rer ne
Report puts blame on pilot for crashing into Colorado home
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DENVER (AP) - Federal investigators say a pilot’s decisions and lack of aircraft control caused him to crash into a Colorado home he lived in a decade earlier The Denver Post reported (http://dpo st/2k1tPl9 ) Wednesday that no one was seriously hurt in the fiery 2014 crash Pilot Brian Veatch had been headed to Coors Field with an advertisement banner attached to the Piper PA-25 when he crashed into a Northglenn home The National Transportation Safety Board’s report on the incident released Tuesday says Veatch was flying below the minimum safe altitude mandated by federal regulations Investigators also determined the pilot released the banner late resulting in an aerodynamic stall/spin The safety board says Veatch reported being unable to recover sufficient airspeed after releasing the banner Veatch could not be reached for comment ___ Information from: The Denver Post http://www denverpost com 2017 02 02 01 39 By www wash ng on mes com
Leaf scores 32 No 11 UCLA beats Washington State 95-79
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PULLMAN Wash (AP) — UCLA has often won behind a barrage of 3-pointers this season When the long shots weren’t falling against Washington State the 11th-ranked Bruins turned to their frontline of TJ Leaf and Thomas Welsh to carry them to a 9579 victory Wednesday night Leaf a freshman forward scored a season-high 32 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as UCLA stopped a two-game slide Welsh a junior center added 17 points for UCLA (20-3 7-3 Pac-12) and Lonzo Ball had 14 “It shows how many options we have on the court ” Leaf said after the Bruins went just 3 of 16 from 3-point range They were 38 of 50 on the rest of their field goal attempts “We’re versatile ” Ball said “We can do anything on the court we need to do ” Ike Iroegbu scored 20 points for Washington State (11-11 4-6) which was coming off a win at Arizona State Conor Clifford added 16 points and Josh Hawkinson had 15 The game was close for the first 30 minutes before a rash of turnovers by Washington State allowed the Bruins to pull away “I thought we were a fatigued basketball team particularly mentally ” Cougars coach Ernie Kent said Kent noted the Bruins had a week off coming into the game “It’s hard to beat a team of that caliber who’s been sitting with a week off who’s fresh and so skilled ” Kent said In the first half Washington State led 19-17 when the Bruins went on a 16-4 run to take a 10-point lead That held up as UCLA led 44-34 at halftime behind 16 points and nine rebounds from Leaf Washington State sank three quick 3-pointers to open the second half cutting UCLA’s lead to 46-43 The teams traded baskets with Leaf making four key buckets that kept the Bruins ahead when the Cougars threatened to tie the game Welsh sank two baskets during an 8-2 run that gave UCLA a 66-57 lead midway through the second half and the Bruins pulled away after that “It’s big to win a game on the road without making a lot of 3s ” said Welsh who shot 8 of 10 Leaf made 14 of 18 shots and UCLA shot 57 6 percent for the game “He was extra aggressive ” Welsh said “There are so many ways he can hurt you ” Bruins coach Steve Alford pointed to 25 deflections by his team and the fact that the offense was back in the 90-point range after scoring below that in two losses “There were not a lot of free throws or 3-pointers and we still scored in the 90s ” Alford said LOPSIDED SERIES UCLA holds a 105-17 lead in the all-time series BIG PICTURE UCLA: The Bruins have six players scoring in double figures and average 92 points per game But they were coming off losses to No 5 Arizona and at Southern California They reached the 20-win mark for the 42nd time in the past 51 seasons “I’m proud of my team ” Alford said Washington State: The Cougars won their previous three home games against UCLA after losing 19 straight at home to the Bruins Washington State already has surpassed last season’s totals of nine wins and one in league play DAD’S SCHOOL Ball’s father LaVar played one season at Washington State averaging 2 2 points per game in 1987-88 UP NEXT UCLA plays at Washington on Saturday Washington State hosts Southern California on Saturday Need a break? Play a quick game of solitaire or Sudoku Or take one of our fun quizzes! With the second month of 2017 around the corner see what events will be happening around town 2017 02 02 01 38 The Assoc a ed w op com
After a 50-year career David Cassidy to retire at year end
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Edison Graff/Stardust Fallout David Cassidy at the Orleans on May 7 2011 Associated Press Wednesday Feb 1 2017 9:37 p m LOS ANGELES — David Cassidy is wrapping up his 50-year career The 66-year-old entertainer says he will play his final West Coast concerts this month and plans to retire at year s end Cassidy says in a statement on his website Wednesday that "traveling and my arthritis" have made performing around the country difficult in recent years The one-time "Partridge Family" heartthrob says "This is not a complete Good bye but I m planning on working much less " He is set to perform in Las Vegas in Feb 17 and in Southern California shows on Feb 18 and Feb 19 A spokeswoman for Cassidy says he will perform some East Coast dates next month as well 2017 02 02 01 37 Assoc a ed Press asvegassun com
Mumsnet sees woman who had affair with local politician
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A married mother has confessed that she is pregnant with another man s child and asked for advice on what to do The anonymous woman who posted on the forum Mumsnet said that she had been having an affair with the much older man for two years The 35-year-old confessed she sees her lover daily and is now visually pregnant with his child The mum took to the forum for advice saying I don t know where to turn A woman has taken to Mumsnet to ask for advice after falling pregnant to the older man she is having an affair with In an explanation the woman explained that the man was much older than her but won t commit to anything other than the affair He says hes too old to start over and would lose respect in his prominent local position [sic] she explained I can t rely on the other man in any way but financially which isn t what I need she said The woman has not told her husband who she has two kids with and said that the man can t support her She said the spark wasn t there with her husband and that s why she started the affair The mum said that she started the affair after meeting the man who was a friend for coffee It started because my partner just doesn t communicate well it s his nature but I ve really needed some support with a new job and the two kids she explained It s not that I have no feelings for my partner but the spark wasn t there this other man has been there The woman did admit to feeling guilty about what had happened but said she hadn t told her husband about the affair or pregnancy The woman asked what she should do and mums on the forum did not hold back Many told her to leave her current partner or at least tell him about the last two years Other mums on the website gave their opinions on the situation You absolutely have to do the only thing you can now tell your partner one woman said The affair is done the baby is coming you absolutely have to put him in the picture withholding it from him when everyone else knows is beyond cruel But others asked why the mum was concerned about the man more than herself Why are you worrying about this affecting him? He obviously isn t that bothered when he is shagging you one woman said 2017 02 02 01 35 Lauren ngram www da yma co uk
Trump travels to Dover Air Force Base to honor service member killed on his watch
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DOVER Del — President Donald Trump made an unannounced trip Wednesday to witness the return of the remains of a Navy SEAL killed in a botched raid in Yemen the first known casualty of an operation Mr Trump ordered as he confronted the most fraught duty of the office while partaking in one of its most solemn rituals At Dover Air Force Base in Delaware Trump joined the family of Chief Special Warfare Operator William “Ryan” Owens 36 who died during a raid on a compound used by al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula the terrorist group’s Yemen-based offshoot The operation began as a mission to gather computers and electronic devices believed to contain information about the organization and possibly about plots in the works But it devolved unexpectedly into a firefight that also killed more than a dozen women and children Operator Owens died during the first counterterrorism operation of Mr Trump’s presidency In a statement Sunday Mr Trump touted the successful raid which he said killed an estimated 14 al-Qaida members while lamenting the loss of life The ritual in Dover called a dignified transfer was kept private at the request of Operator Owens’ family Mr Trump accompanied by his daughter Ivanka and Sen Chris Coons D-Del were on the grounds for more than two hours Hours after the president received Operator Owens’ remains a statement issued by the U S Central Command said that an investigatory team “has concluded regrettably” that an unspecified number of civilians “appear to have been potentially caught up in aerial gunfire that was called in to assist U S forces” that were “receiving fire from all sides ”
Among the civilians reportedly killed was the 8-year old daughter of Anwar al-Awlaki the American-born al-Qaida leader who was based in Yemen and killed in a 2011 drone strike Al-Awlaki has been cited as the inspiration for several major attacks in the West including the San Bernardino Calif shootings The remains of service members killed in action are brought to the Delaware base in flag-draped cases then carried by a six-person team to a vehicle to be taken to a mortuary on the base According to the Air Force the dignified transfer is conducted for every service member who dies in a theater of operation Media coverage of the transfers were banned in 1991 during the Gulf War in response to an episode two years earlier in which a television network showed split-screen images of a jovial President George H W Bush and the coffins of U S personnel killed in Panama The policy was lifted by the Pentagon during the Obama administration after a review and families were given the option to allow media coverage Since then Dover has facilitated 1 978 dignified transfers; families attended 83 percent of them More than half of families — 55 percent — allowed coverage according to Christin Michaud chief of public affairs for the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations President Barack Obama traveled to Dover twice to witness such transfers first in October 2009 He returned in 2011 to witness the remains of 30 service members killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan being brought back to the U S In a speech in December Mr Obama said the visits to Dover made real the potential costs of decisions he made to send troops into conflict The Pentagon typically relies on drone strikes against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula but U S commanders believed they had identified militant headquarters in the village of Yaklaa in Yemen’s Bayda province and wanted to send in troops to gather valuable information about the terrorist group’s operations U S intelligence agencies consider the group one of al-Qaida’s most dangerous offshoots because of its repeated attempts to attack Western targets
The group attempted to destroy a U S -bound airliner over Detroit on Christmas Day 2009 tried to take down two cargo planes headed to Chicago in 2010 and claimed responsibility for the mass shooting that killed 12 people at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris in 2015 The U S military’s Joint Special Operations Command plan for the raid had been ready in the final weeks of Mr Obama’s presidency and was awaiting approval said U S officials who weren’t authorized to speak publicly on the clandestine operation Mr Obama had opted not to sign off because the proposal called for the raid to take place on the next moonless night in Yemen which was not until Jan 28 after he left office With Mr Trump’s blessing U S officials said helicopters carrying members of the elite Navy SEAL Team 6 slipped into eastern Yemen under the cover of darkness in the predawn hours and approached Yaklaa The raid ran into problems almost immediately after the assault began Commandos encountered gunfire and a nearly hourlong firefight ensued wounding Operator Owens and three other commandos The others are expected to survive officials said And an MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft sent in to evacuate the wounded crash-landed in the desert nearby injuring three more service members officials said The aircraft was unable to fly and was later destroyed in an airstrike to prevent militants from capturing it At least 14 AQAP members including women were killed the U S military said “There were a lot of female combatants who were part of this ” Capt Jeff Davis a Pentagon spokesman told reporters “We saw during this operation as it was taking place that they ran to pre-established positions as if they’d trained to be ready and trained to be combatants and engage with us ” He said local reports of female civilian casualties should be taken with “a grain of salt” but would not comment on the reports of civilian deaths including al-Awlaki’s young daughter other than to say that the allegations were being investigated Mr Trump repeatedly said on the campaign trail that he’d increase pressure on terrorist groups but it remains unclear whether the deadly raid was a sign of new aggressiveness from the White House Mr Obama had authorized several special operations raids in Libya Somalia Syria and most notably in Pakistan for the 2011 operation to kill Osama bin Laden The last ground raid in Yemen was in 2014 2017 02 02 01 34 By M chae www pos gaze e com
Tate: Still hard to understand basketball's Badgers
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Wisconsin’s Badgers don’t look like the No 10 basketball team in the nation
Offensively they’re so-so They flubbed their free throws (2 of 9) here Tuesday night In their last five games they held on for a narrow home win over Michigan outlasted Minnesota in overtime throttled Penn State at home rallied in an awful game to beat Rutgers in OT and handled Illinois 57-43 So it’s doubtful they’ll win more than a game in the NCAA tournament And with four seniors in the starting lineup they’ll surely fall off the basketball map next season Right? Oops no that’s wrong There I go again underrating Wisconsin Like most folks I’ve been doing it for 15 years because I can’t get a firm grasp on how the Badgers do it Seeing should be believing But game appear simple
Atop the league These Badgers are the product of a culture unmatched almost anywhere They make a complicated
It resembles Virginia where Dick Bennett’s son Tony holds court Lest we forget Dick Bennett took a sixth-place Big Ten team to the Final Four in 2000 Along came Bo Ryan with a background in Platteville and Milwaukee and he never finished worse than fourth in the Big Ten before forcing resistant athletic director Barry Alvarez to promote Greg Gard by abruptly retiring a little more than year ago If the UI promoted an assistant the place would go bonkers There would be an insurrection Folks around here think the UI needs Superman in an orange jacket All Gard has done is win 20 of 27 conference games as the 8-1 Badgers prepare to host struggling Indiana on Sunday They’re steady too Wisconsin is exactly what Indiana is not: (1) consistent (2) defense oriented (3) protective of the ball and (4) healthy (the same five starters in 22 games)
The transition from Ryan’s Sam Dekker-Frank Kaminsky team has been seamless and those who doubt their NCAA prospects consider the Badgers have won 11 tournament games in the last three years which is 11 more than all the teams in Illinois in that span In tight quarters with the pressure on Wisconsin will not flinch When the Badgers lost to Duke 68-63 in the 2015 title game Nigel Hayes played 37 minutes and Bronson Koenig 31 while the other two senior starters on this team were on the bench Most are willing to wait their turn Jarrod Uthoff didn’t He transferred to Iowa But most do Best guess without even checking names is Gard has more productive workmen poised to move up alongside Ethan Happ (the nation’s most underrated player) next year Forget his 60 percent shooting and his steady scoring (32 points at Rutgers) Happ is second in the Big Ten with 44 steals and is pulling down nine-plus rebounds
And they keep winning Wisconsin excels where others fall short It’s hard to play sound defense All the rules favor the offense When a dribbler starts to penetrate the defender becomes foul-vulnerable They even put a semi-circle near the basket where a defender can’t take a charge So it’s hard Check the 3 “I” schools in the Big Ten Illinois can’t Indiana doesn’t Iowa is worse than either But it wasn’t a fluke that Wisconsin held the Illini 32 points under their season average of 75 on Tuesday In 11 straight losses to the Badgers Illinois is averaging 58 5 points The Illini won’t be traveling to Madison this season where they’ve been held between 49 and 60 in four of the last five trips there Wisconsin has been showing everybody the right way to do it — how to win without cheating without testing boundaries without five-star one-and-dones — and yet few are catching on It’s as though a universal voice is crying out: “That doesn’t look like it’s much fun We’ll keep doing it our way ” Loren Tate writes for the News-Gazette He can be reached at ltate@news-gazette com 2017 02 02 01 33 Loren Ta e www news gaze e com
Wednesday’s Women’s Basketball Scores
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Albany (NY) 79 Mass -Lowell 60 American U 59 Bucknell 47 Army 63 Lafayette 55 Caldwell 68 Dominican (NY) 45 Chestnut Hill 98 Washington Adventist 84 Colgate 70 Holy Cross 52 George Washington 63 Fordham 46 Haverford 64 Washington (Md ) 41 La Salle 58 Rhode Island 49 Lehigh 86 Loyola (Md ) 69 Maine 59 Vermont 43 Marist 70 Siena 59 Moravian 87 Scranton 83 NC A&T 68 Delaware St 60 New Hampshire 56 Stony Brook 45 Saint Joseph’s 60 Duquesne 58 Saint Louis 81 UMass 60 Stockton 60 Rutgers-Camden 59 UConn 97 Temple 69 UMBC 53 Binghamton 45 Wilmington (Del ) 89 Georgian Court 82 Barton 81 Pfeiffer 74 Belmont 94 SIU-Edwardsville 67 Carson-Newman 88 Mars Hill 61 Clayton St 65 Georgia College 51 Dayton 68 Davidson 52 E Kentucky 80 Austin Peay 71 Emory & Henry 93 Roanoke 84 King (Tenn ) 60 Emmanuel (Ga ) 48 Lander 88 Augusta 72 Md -Eastern Shore 68 Hampton 65 Morehead St 73 Murray St 59 Nicholls 76 SE Louisiana 60 Reinhardt 69 St Andrews 67 SE Missouri 65 Jacksonville St 58 South Florida 72 Cincinnati 52 Spalding 67 Westminster (Mo ) 53 Tennessee St 69 E Illinois 58 Tennessee Tech 81 UT Martin 71 Tusculum 65 Anderson (SC) 51 UNC-Greensboro 67 Wofford 61 Xavier (NO) at William Carey ccd Albion 108 Olivet 48 Alma 80 Kalamazoo 78 Augsburg 65 Concordia (Moor ) 54 Ball St 90 Akron 63 Baylor 83 Iowa St 52 Bethel (Minn ) 96 Carleton 61 Carthage 70 Wheaton (Ill ) 44 Cent Michigan 64 Ohio 59 Concordia (Wis ) 55 Lakeland 52 Cornerstone 80 Lourdes 50 Davenport 71 Concordia (Mich ) 63 Doane 65 St Mary (Neb ) 56 Hope 63 Calvin 55 Indiana Tech 68 Aquinas 58 Kent St 84 Miami (Ohio) 66 Lawrence Tech 62 Michigan-Dearborn 50 Madonna 95 Marygrove 65 Michigan 86 Illinois 70 Milwaukee Engineering 51 Edgewood 31 North Park 74 Carroll (Wis ) 33 Northwestern 63 Wisconsin 43 Ohio St 87 Penn St 72 Saint Catherine 82 Macalester 48 Spring Arbor 73 Mount Vernon Nazarene 60 St Benedict 72 St Olaf 53 St Mary’s (Minn ) 64 Hamline 49 St Thomas (Minn ) 75 Gustavus 69 Toledo 85 Buffalo 63 Wis Lutheran 90 Marian (Wis ) 45 Wis -Eau Claire 83 Wis -Stout 67 Wis -LaCrosse 62 Wis -River Falls 43 Wis -Oshkosh 60 Wis -Stevens Pt 55 Wis -Whitewater 76 Wis -Platteville 59 Abilene Christian 72 Texas A&M-CC 59 Kansas St 65 Texas Tech 53 Oklahoma 89 Kansas 52 Texas 85 Oklahoma St 71 W Illinois 76 Oral Roberts 62 Colorado St 60 Boise St 53 Fresno St 72 Air Force 56 South Dakota 53 Denver 44 UC Santa Barbara 57 Cal St -Fullerton 37 UNLV 61 New Mexico 52 Utah St 81 Nevada 69 Wyoming 80 San Diego St 67 Need a break? Play a quick game of solitaire or Sudoku Or take one of our fun quizzes! With the second month of 2017 around the corner see what events will be happening around town 2017 02 02 01 32 The Assoc a ed w op com
Through new show 'The QUAD ' BET gives HBCUs fresh platform
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BET’s The QUAD is trying to make Historically Black Colleges and Universities great again and Atlanta is at the center of the movement With graduates like Spike Lee Samuel L Jackson Keshia Knight Pulliam and Alice Walker This city has played a leading role in spreading the good news about the institutions that have nurtured so many great minds
While shows like A Different World romanticized the HBCU experience I was not sold on going a “Black school ” Don’t get me wrong Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne will forever be #relationshipgoals but I wasn’t sold on learning in an environment where everyone looked just like me
The White House has been expanding its HBCU initiative since 1980 when President Jimmy Carter signed Executive Order 12232 establishing a federal program “… to overcome the effects of discriminatory treatment and to strengthen and expand the capacity of historically black colleges and universities to provide quality education ” While many still question whether or not the HBCU is still relevant BET is giving us a platform The QUAD was created and nurtured by HBCU graduates The show stars Anika Noni Rose a graduate of FAMU the college of love and charity If it were not for my HBCU experience I would not be here today In high school I was almost always the only Black girl and I was OK with that because I never had to compete I automatically stood out I jokingly tell my friends that I grew up “White ” Many of my family members would agree I grew up in Sebring Fla where the average population is 10 000 with 16 percent of the residents being Black Everyone is my cousin When it came time to apply to college my aunt and uncle said I needed the “Black experience ” I didn’t know what that was at the time but I knew I didn’t want to be surrounded by a bunch of Black people Call me naive but I only knew two types of Black people: me and them I was once jumped during a field trip because the girls said I talked “too White ” It was moments like that one that turned me off from my own people Along came Atlanta Before I submitted my first application I traveled to Atlanta to tour four great institutions: Clark Atlanta Morris Brown Morehouse and Spelman College I was enamored At Spelman I purchased every sky blue and white item that my tiny budget would allow I couldn’t wait to be this type of “Black ” These people sounded like me and looked like me I just wanted to be successful just like them My best friend and I both agreed that we would return together only she was one year ahead of me and ended up attending alone Plot Twist
Journalism was my life and I didn’t even know it I always loved crafting stories Unfortunately Spelman didn’t have a journalism program So I moved on I ended up at Florida A&M University (FAMU) in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication (SJGC) It was the same school that my uncle and my cousins attended I was now a part of a family tradition FAMU chose me While HBCUs have always been great in my eyes The QUAD filmed right here in Atlanta appeals to a different generation A Different World and the Cosby Show gave us Hillman College School Daze gave us Mission College And The QUAD is introducing us to Georgia A&M University (GAMU)
Let me just say that the marketing for the show is too good It’s so good that we received a viewer email this week asking us to investigate (GAMU) At first I thought it was a joke Then I read the email again The more I read the more smoke billowed from my ear canals Why can’t people just ask Google? This is not what I should be using my degree to investigate The viewer said she saw a recruitment commercial claiming the school opened in 1919 I went to their website and found the same information Don’t be fooled On every platform GAMU states the institution is fictional but I’m glad it’s getting your attention “From School Daze ‘til now this is kind of full circle ” said Jasmine Guy in a behind-the-scenes video The former FAME dancer made us hate in her Spike Lee’s 1988 film but then she stole our hearts in 1987 with her southern charm in A Different World Yes Jasmine This is definitely a full circle moment I am a proud alumna and current member of the board of visitors at the SJGC I continue to give to FAMU because she has never stopped giving to me To this day I can call up a former professor and get a plate We still text We still call We’re still family The beauty of HBCU echoes louder than the roaring sound of our marching bands We are stronger than our football teams and greater than their losses Our greatest accomplishment is excellence with caring In every classroom you will find a lesson with an extra ounce of love HBCUs are something magical and I hope that this new work of art captures the beauty that is the Black experience The QUAD premiered Wednesday at 10 p m on BET 2017 02 02 01 31 TEGNA rss eeds 11a ve com
Culling of 24 free-ranging chickens in Singapore ruffles feathers
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By Toh Ee Ming As a debate flared up over free-ranging chickens that were put down by the authorities in Singapore’s Sin Ming area the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) revealed that it received 250 complaints islandwide on freeranging chickens last year and they were mostly about noise-related nuisances caused by the birds The authority also disclosed that it put down 24 chickens that were wandering around the Thomson View block of flats in Sin Ming Avenue after getting 20 complaints last year from residents there also mainly about noise Responding to queries from TODAY the AVA added that the free-ranging chickens that are sometimes seen on mainland Singapore are not red junglefowl — an endangered species — though some may resemble them “Free-ranging chickens can pose a potential threat to public health especially if their population is left unchecked There is a likelihood of an incursion of bird flu into Singapore as bird flu is endemic in the region ” the AVA said The news of the culling in Sin Ming sparked an outcry yesterday with some residents chiming in online to say that the chickens there had not caused any major disturbances Facebook user Pang Jun Heng said that he has been living in the area for 16 years and “the chickens there just mind their own business and roam around” “I walk past them almost on a daily basis they don’t attack anyone or make lots of noise ” Mr Louis Ng founder of Animal Concerns Research & Education Society echoed the views of many online users to say that the killing was the “worst solution” He warned against such a “knee-jerk” response and added that other measures could have been taken such as getting people to adopt the chickens relocating them to Pulau Ubin for rearing or mediating with the residents Mr Ng also stressed the need to get an “accurate sense of sentiments on the ground” to find out if there is an overwhelming majority that still want the chickens there a point also made by online users Mr Ben Lee founder of nature conservation group Nature Trekker said that unlike the culling of wild boars which uproot soil and aggressive monkeys which might attack people the culling of chickens is less justifiable here because they did not cause any serious issues However Assistant Professor Frank Rheindt from the National University of Singapore’s department of biological sciences believed that the authorities did the right thing from an environmental perspective He explained that it would not be feasible to relocate the chickens to Pulau Ubin — which has a population of red junglefowl — because it would result in a “contamination of the gene pool of the wild stock of junglefowl that we’re lucky to still have” “Wild junglefowl are still very precious and conservationists want to preserve them in their wild state as best as they can If you create a situation where domesticated or hybrid chickens can inter-breed or hybridise wild junglefowl it would certainly have a giant effect on the native junglefowl roaming (in Pulau Ubin) ” He added: “Every day in Singapore and across the world hundreds of thousands of chickens are killed for human consumption so I do not believe there is a valid ‘animal rights’ argument against the culling ” 2017 02 02 01 30 Today On ne www scmp com
The wushu women of Kabul
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Sima Azimi frowns as she pirouettes in the snow suspended for a moment against the sky on a hill overlooking Kabul and above the conservatism of contemporary Afghanistan There is still a need for boldness among young Afghan women who wish to indulge in sport -- even more so with a martial art like wushu popularised by stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li which Azimi has taught for a year in the war-torn capital Earlier this week the 20-year-old woman left her club in western Kabul sheltered from prying eyes by a discreet but heavy metal door to train her young pupils in the open air In black or pink satin pyjamas their hair covered they practise the modern sport derived from traditional Chinese arts mastered by among others the flying monks of Shaolin in northern China Mixing boxing and blade control sabres and daggers wushu can be a choreographed exhibition of acrobatics or a full-contact sport a challenge to gravity that requires bodies of steel and rubber On the warm-up mat faces sometimes twist under stress and pain as Azimi a black belt presses and pushes them Azimi s family took refuge in Iran when she was two years old with Afghanistan still under the Taliban regime There the slender young woman was introduced to wushu When she returned one year ago she immediately opened her club in a stronghold of the ethnic Hazara community of which she is a member in Kabul "Unfortunately we have only Hazara students here and I don t like this I am not comfortable with this solo ethnicity in my club " she tells AFP adding she wants to welcome girls from other communities - Demanding and complete Hazaras a long persecuted Shiite minority are among the most open people in Afghanistan Women are freer in their movements and more independent; men less oppressive to them As a result they are typically found in the young teams of cyclists climbers and runners in the country who are often anxious to "open the way for others" "My family never opposed my class here my father was just concerned for me he found me too small and he feared I could get in trouble " said Soraya Rezayi 19 with the silhouette of a twig like her fellow pupils "But thanks to my training I became more powerful " she adds "If someone came to harass me I could certainly defend myself " "I am the first lady in my family to do sport " says Latifa Safayi Aged just 15 she already sees a long way into the future: to overcome her parents reluctance to let her train she proclaimed her dream of "representing the country and
raising the Afghan flag abroad"
"I want to change the image of Afghanistan too well known for war and drugs " she vows Now she trains three times a week the aches which overcame her body in the beginning fading to a sport she describes as "demanding and complete" For their master Sima the biggest obstacle was readjusting to her country of origin "Iran is a developed country but here in Afghanistan there are some very conservative thoughts to fight " she says "But it is only up to women to do something for themselves So please get out show your capabilities and don t let anyone choose for yourself " It is not only on the training mats that the young woman knows how to fight But her demonstration this week at the top of the hill of Sharak Haji Nabi although a traditional rendezvous of Hazara walkers attracted too much attention in a country where many still believe women should be veiled and confined to the home She does not plan to return soon she confesses 2017 02 02 01 30 www d g a ourna com
CS Northridge wins shootout with Long Beach State 108-98
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tavrion Dawson the reigning Big West Conference Player of the Week scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to ignite Cal State Northridge s 108-98 shootout victory over Long Beach State Wednesday night Already the conference leader in points per game coming into the contest (77 7 ppg) the Matadors scored in triple digits for the first time since a 106-105 double overtime loss to UC Riverside in 2014 Dawson hit 10 of 13 from the field including 2 of 4 from beyond the 3-point arc Darin Johnson converted 12 of 14 from the free throw line and contributed 23 points while Kendall Smith added 23 points hitting 9 of 10 from the line The Matadors (10-12 6-3) held a five-point advantage at intermission 50-45 and the two teams combined to score 111 points in the second half Roschon Prince and Justin Bibbins scored 21 and 20 points respectively to lead Long Beach State (9-15 4-4) Copyright 2017 The Associated Press All rights reserved This material may not be published broadcast rewritten or redistributed 2017 02 02 01 29 AP rss eeds usa oday com
Lefty O’Doul’s closes its doors on Geary Street in SF
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With barely any room left to walk people crowded into San Francisco’s famous Lefty O’Doul’s bar and restaurant Tables were jam-packed with plates of corned beef turkey and cabbage as longtime patrons police officers musicians and sports fans squeezed in Known for the baseball-loving ambience and sports memorabilia Lefty O’Doul’s opened its doors Wednesday for the last time in San Francisco’s Union Square at 333 Geary St where it moved in 1958 London Breed president of the Board of Supervisors kicked off the night announcing to the crowd “Free drinks for everybody ” Nick Bovis the proprietor smiled as he stood near the middle of the restaurant welcoming people in “I’m trying to stay positive ” Bovis said adding that he’d been listening to Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” to keep his spirits up “I can’t let people see me sad ” Despite the rush of emotions that Bovis felt he said one thing was certain as he looked at the sea of people gathered before him: “I put people together ” Bovis said “I’m not really a matchmaker but (I am) a conversation ‘introductor ’ Like conducting a symphony ” The restaurant known for the “best deal on the square ” closed its doors two days earlier than planned
The last day on Geary Street comes after an injunction was filed in San Francisco Superior Court last month by attorneys for the restaurant and bar’s landlord hotelier Jon Handlery signaling the continuation of a bitter dispute over who owns the rights to the bar and everything in it
On the night of the closure Bovis insisted that the memorabilia and the rights to the bar belong to him And though he wouldn’t disclose Lefty O’Doul’s new location he promised it wouldn’t be far from Geary Street and would be open in time for the Christmas toy drive on Dec 24 “This is second base right now ” Bovis said of the Geary Street location “Now we are going to third base ” Tom O’Doul Lefty’s cousin stopped at people’s tables and posed for photos throughout the evening “We are going to a better place ” O’Doul said “I’m looking forward to the future O’Douls always stay positive ” Paul Bergmann a 66-year-old Pacifica resident reminisced about the first time he walked into the crammed restaurant “I came to watch the World Series” in the late ’80s he said “(Lefty O’Doul’s) is a real monument to baseball and the local sports scene ” A self-proclaimed baseball fanatic it was the memorabilia that kept Bergmann coming back over the years to watch baseball games alongside other fans Angus Morrison a 59-year-old San Francisco resident chuckled as he recalled the moment he came to Lefty O’Doul’s for spaghetti and meatballs with Dave Henderson a former baseball player for the Oakland A’s “I hope they reopen ” Bergmann said “It’ll be missed until it comes back ” 2017 02 02 01 28 By Sarah www s ga e com
COULTER: Give Me Your Tired Arguments
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Everything said about President Trump’s “Muslim ban” is a lie — including that it’s a Muslim ban The New York Times wore out its thesaurus denouncing the order: “cruelty … injury … suffering … bigoted cowardly self-defeating … breathtaking … inflammatory … callousness and indifference” — and that’s from a single editorial! Amid the hysteria over this prudent pause in refugee admissions from seven countries whose principal export is dynamite vests it has been indignantly claimed that it’s illegal for our immigration policies to discriminate on the basis of religion This is often said by journalists who are only in America because of immigration policies that discriminated on the basis of religion
For much of the last half-century Soviet Jews were given nearly automatic entry to the U S as “refugees ” Entering as a refugee confers all sorts of benefits unavailable to other immigrants including loads of welfare programs health insurance job placement services English language classes and the opportunity to apply for U S citizenship after only five years Most important though Soviet Jews were not required to satisfy the United Nations definition of a “refugee ” to wit: someone fleeing persecution based on race religion or national origin They just had to prove they were Jewish This may have been good policy but let’s not pretend the Jewish exception was not based on religion If a temporary pause on refugee admissions from seven majority-Muslim countries constitutes “targeting” Muslims then our immigration policy “targeted” Christians for discrimination for about 30 years Never heard a peep from the ACLU about religious discrimination back then! According to the considered opinion of the Cato Institute’s David J Bier writing in The New York Times Trump’s executive order is “illegal” because the 1965 immigration act “banned all discrimination against immigrants on the basis of national origin ”
In 1966 one year after the 1965 immigration act immigrants from Cuba suddenly got special immigration privileges In 1986 immigrants from Ireland did People from Vietnam and Indochina got special immigration rights for 20 years after the end of the Vietnam War The 1965 law quite obviously did not prohibit discrimination based on national origin (I was wondering why the Times would sully its pages with the legal opinion of a Grove City College B A like Bier! Any “expert” in a storm I guess ) In fact ethnic discrimination is practically the hallmark of America’s immigration policy — in addition to our perverse obsession with admitting the entire Third World
Commenting on these ethnic boondoggles back in 1996 Sen Orrin Hatch said: “We have made a mockery” of refugee law “because of politics and pressure ” We let in one ethnic group out of compassion then they form an ethnic power bloc to demand that all their fellow countrymen be let in too As the former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew described “diversity” in Der Spiegel: “In multiracial societies you don’t vote in accordance with your economic interests and social interests you vote in accordance with race and religion ” That’s our immigration policy — plus a healthy dose of Emma Lazarus’ insane idea that all countries of the world should send their losers to us (Thanks Emma!) Americans are weary of taking in these pricey Third World immigrants who show their gratitude by periodically erupting in maniacal violence — in for example San Bernardino Orlando New York City Fort Hood Boston Chattanooga Bowling Green and St Cloud The Muslim immigrants currently being showcased by the left are not likely to change any minds The Times could produce only 11 cases of temporarily blocked immigrants that the newspaper would even dare mention (Imagine what the others are like!) For purposes of argument I will accept the Times’ glowing descriptions of these Muslim immigrants as brilliant scientists on the verge of curing cancer (Two of the Times’ 11 cases actually involved cancer researchers ) Point one: If the Times thinks that brilliance is a desirable characteristic in an immigrant why can’t we demand that of all our immigrants? To the contrary! Our immigration policy is more likely to turn away the brilliant scientist — in order to make room for an Afghani goat herder whose kid runs a coffee stand until deciding to bomb the New York City subway one day (That was Najibullah Zazi my featured “Immigrant of the Week ” on May 1 2012 ) Point two: I happened to notice that even the stellar Muslim immigrants dug up by the Times seem to bring a lot of elderly and sickly relatives with them Guess who gets to support them? House Speaker Paul Ryan’s driving obsession (besides being the Koch brothers’ lickspittle) is “entitlement reform ” i e cutting benefits or raising the retirement age for Social Security and Medicare
I have another idea How about we stop bringing in immigrants who immediately access government programs who bring in elderly parents who immediately access government programs or who run vast criminal enterprises stealing millions of dollars from government programs? (I illustrated the popularity of government scams with immigrants in Adios America! by culling all the news stories about these crimes over a one-month period and listing the perps’ names )
Point three: Contrary to emotional blather about the horrors refugees are fleeing a lot are just coming to visit their kids or to get free health care One of the Times’ baby seals — an Iraqi with diabetes and “a respiratory ailment” — was returning from performing his responsibilities as an elected official in Kirkuk That’s not exactly fleeing the Holocaust
While it’s fantastic news that most Muslim refugees aren’t terrorists the downside is: They’re not refugees they’re not brilliant they don’t have a constitutional right to come here and they’re very very expensive Until politicians can give us more government services for less money they need to stop bringing in the poor of the world on our dime 2017 02 02 01 28 Ann Cou er da yca er com
Pistons' Aron Baynes denies report he's decided to opt out of contract
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Detroit Pistons center Aron Baynes denied a report saying he has decided to opt out of the final year of the three-year contract he signed in the summer of 2015 Citing unnamed sources Basketball Insiders published a story Wednesday afternoon saying the Pistons were gauging interest in backup centers Baynes and Boban Marjanovic adding that Baynes will decline his player option for next season Baynes told the Free Press after Wednesday night’s 118-98 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans that no decision has been made He responded with a laugh when asked about the report “I don’t know about that ” Baynes said “I’m just focused on the season right now That’s all I’m doing just playing basketball I have an agent That’s the unfortunate side of basketball but I let him do his thing I’m just out there trying to do mine ” You haven’t made a decision? “I definitely haven’t thought about anything yet ” he said “It’s not even All-Star break There’s a long way left in this season I’m just trying to go out there and make the most of it ” With rising salaries it’s expected that Baynes will decline the $6 5-million option for next season and become an unrestricted free agent The Pistons signed Marjanovic last summer as preparation for that possibility That means the Pistons are likely treating Baynes as an expiring contract as the Feb 23 trade deadline approaches “I really don’t think about it ” Baynes said “It’s one of those things if you want to go looking for stuff you can always go find it ” Contact Vince Ellis: vellis@freepress com Follow him on Twitter @vincent_ellis56 Download our Pistons Xtra app on iTunes or Android! 2017 02 02 01 26 V nce E s rss eeds reep com
Mejri has 17 rebounds to lead Mavs over 76ers 113-95
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DALLAS (AP) — Salah Mejri combined to play only nine minutes in Dallas recent victories over San Antonio and Cleveland The Mavericks got another nice victory Wednesday night and Mejri wasn t left out of this one The Tunisian center had 16 points and a career-high 17 rebounds Seth Curry scored 22 points and Dallas beat the Philadelphia 76ers 113-95 for its third win in a row and fifth in six games The 7-foot-1 Mejri played 21 minutes with Andrew Bogut out of action and helped Dallas — the NBA s worst-rebounding team — set a season high for boards and outrebound the Sixers 51-39 He scored 10 points all on dunks early in the fourth quarter to help the Mavericks lead by 22 Mejri s point total was one shy of his career high "They ve been looking for me now that I m a hot player " said Mejri laughing as he made air quotes to highlight his sudden scoring prowess "When it s there it s there I felt like I needed to join the party with everybody else because we had two big wins on back to backs " Harrison Barnes added 16 points for Dallas and Devin Harris had 14 Jahlil Okafor led the 76ers with 16 points and Ersan Ilyasova added 13 points and 10 boards Philadelphia played without starters Robert Covington (bruised right hand) and Joel Embiid (left knee contusion) The Mavericks led by just four points with three minutes left in the third quarter but Harris hit back-to-back 3s to start a 13-5 run that gave the Mavericks an 81-69 lead "It happened so fast " Okafor said "We didn t get stops they hit a bunch of 3s We turned the ball over We also missed shots that we always make or usually make " Mejri then scored 10 of Dallas first 12 points in the fourth opening the lead to 93-74 TIP-INS 76ers: Rookie Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot made the first start of his career in place of Covington and scored seven points Mavericks: Mejri reached his season high in rebounds in the first half alone with 12 boards in just 11 minutes
Guards J Barea (left calf strain) and Deron Williams (left big toe sprain) and Bogut (right hamstring strain) missed another game
YOGI BEARS DOWN Yogi Ferrell who scored a career-high 19 points against Cleveland on Monday had 11 points and five assists in 38 minutes Wednesday in just his third game with the team He even blocked a shot by Okafor who is 11 inches taller Ferrell also brought the crowd to its feet late in the third quarter when he knocked the ball away from Philadelphia s Sergio Rodriguez on a fast break and his momentum carried him headfirst into the first row of spectators "I m going to get out there and communicate with my guys defensively and offensively I m going to run the team " Ferrell said "Make the smart pass knock down the shot if it s open and just be a catalyst " RIGHT ON THE BUTTON The Mavericks used a 26-8 run to turn a nine-point second-quarter deficit into a 50-41 lead before the Sixers scored the last six points of the half The run started after a Dallas timeout in which coach Rick Carlisle drew a picture of a reset button on his clipboard and had Curry push it after the guard had three first-quarter turnovers Curry and Barnes combined to score the last 13 points of the run "I had to get my mind right and get into the game " Curry said "That was just a fun thing he did in the timeout that got me going " UP NEXT 76ers: Stay in Texas with a visit to the Spurs on Thursday the second game in a four-game trip Mavericks: Visit Portland on Friday their first of two matchups in five days with the Trail Blazers Copyright 2017 The Associated Press All rights reserved This material may not be published broadcast rewritten or redistributed 2017 02 02 01 26 AP rss eeds usa oday com
A Short History Of Humans And Germs; How Contagions Got Their Start
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John Poole Xaver Xylophon Humans get along pretty well with most microbes Which is lucky because there are a lot more of them in the world than there are of us We couldn t even live without many of them But a few hundred have evolved and are still evolving to exploit our bodies in ways that can make us really sick These are the microbes we call germs Think plague flu HIV SARS Ebola Zika measles This is a series is about where germs come from In this first of three episodes we see what our early encounters with germs may have been like — and how germs first got the upper hand Join the conversation with the hashtag #KillerViruses or tweet us @NPRGoatsAndSoda 2017 02 02 01 26 John Poo e www npr org
Indonesia's Yogyakarta airport closed after Garuda jet skids off runway
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Indonesian authorities said Yogyakarta’s Adisutjipto International Airport will remain closed until Thursday afternoon after a Garuda aircraft with 130 people on board skidded off the runway while landing late on Wednesday According to a statement on the website of flag carrier Garuda Indonesia the Boeing 737-800NG en route from Jakarta “went off the runway as a result of heavy rain that made the runway slippery” Yogyakarta is the gateway to the cultural centre of Indonesia’s main island of Java Garuda spokesman Benny Butarbutar said there were no injuries and all 123 passengers and seven crew members had been evacuated safely The statement made no mention of an investigation Indonesia’s Transport Ministry said in a statement the airport would remain closed until 3pm on Thursday Airport authorities were working to remove the aircraft from the runway area an airport spokesman said but needed to bring in salvage equipment from Jakarta and Surabaya through the nearby city of Solo “We’ll use whichever comes fastest to help with the evacuation process ” the spokesman said PT Angkasa Pura 1 the company that manages Adisutjipto International Airport proposed temporarily rerouting all Yogyakarta-bound flights through Solo Indonesia has a patchy air safety record with 12 accidents in 2016 in which 30 people killed according to the Aviation Safety Network website In 2007 a Garuda Boeing 737 jet bounced and skidded off the runway at Yogyakarta airport before bursting into flames killing 21 people 2017 02 02 01 25 Reu ers Reu ers www scmp com
Dan Quinn interrupts player's media session to ask very important question
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HOUSTON -- A couple reporters were huddled around Atlanta Falcons fullback Patrick DiMarco when suddenly the team s head coach walked through the crowd Most of the reporters were oblivious focusing on getting their sound bites and quotes before rushing off to meet their deadlines Dan Quinn walked right up to DiMarco and fired off his question "Who s your favorite coach? " DiMarco thought for a second "I d probably have to go back to high school " he said laughing before changing his answer Here s what he really had to say: (© 2017 WXIA) WXIA Michael Vick: Matt Ryan has solidified his place in Falcons history reveals more about open letter WXIA Atlanta Falcons have special fan rooting for them from space WXIA Spider-Man and Venom will join forces for the Falcons to defeat the evil Tom Brady WXIA Dreams come true: Falcons recall National Signing Day memories before Super Bowl WXIA Falcons BirdLady gets ready for the Super Bowl WXIA The Falcons DJs need credit for team s Super Bowl run 2017 02 02 01 24 A ec McQuade rss eeds 11a ve com
‘Nightmare inducing’ robot unveiled in leaked Boston Dynamics video (VIDEO) — RT Viral
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Video footage leaked online shows Boston Dynamics’ founder Marc Raibert detailing their latest robot Handle in a presentation to potential investors So-called for its ability to carefully handle objects the latest iteration from the Google owned company can be seen riding around upright on two wheels spinning on its axis and leaping over obstacles and landing perfectly If that sounds a little like the beginning of a robot uprising your fears won’t be allayed by the fact that Raibert described the new creation as an “experiment in combining wheels with legs with a very dynamic system that is balancing itself all the time and has a lot of knowledge of how to throw its weight around ” adding that it is “a nightmare-inducing robot ” Handle breaks the mold for the Google owned firm whose robots usually operate on two or four legs While the addition of wheels adds speed it does so at the expense of being unable to traverse uneven surfaces It seems however that such a machine if ever created beyond prototype phase could be used to transport goods within a factory or warehouse Raibert explained 2017 02 02 01 23 www r com
Iran ‘Brexit ’ Romania: Your Thursday Briefing
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Good morning Here’s what you need to know to start your day in Europe:
• The United Nations added to the international condemnation of President Trump’s temporary ban on the admission of refugees and of citizens from seven mainly Muslim countries Secretary General António Guterres said it would do little to stem the threat of terrorism But Mr Trump’s brand of nationalism is playing well in some of the world’s more autocratic countries Leaders in Russia Egypt Turkey and even North Korea are eager to engage with an America less inclined to criticize their human rights records And Mr Trump’s national security adviser said the U S was putting Iran “on notice ” threatening unspecified reprisals over Tehran’s recent missile test _____
• Domestically Mr Trump pushed back against any Democratic slowdowns in confirming his pick for the Supreme Court Neil M Gorsuch suggesting the Senate majority leader could “go nuclear” by closing debate and calling for a floor vote without hitting a 60-vote threshold Mr Trump’s nominee to be the top U S diplomat Rex W Tillerson above left was confirmed as secretary of state Here’s our full coverage of the new Trump administration On a lighter note Mr Trump’s longtime doctor said that the president was healthy but took medication to promote hair growth _____ • Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany will face difficult talks in Turkey today in her first visit since the failed coup there last year and the ensuing purges of government critics Ankara has accused Berlin of harboring military officers supportive of the coup and other opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan And Turkey’s territorial disagreement with Greece took a turn for the worse when the Greek defense minister flew over disputed Aegean islands in response to an earlier visit to nearby waters by Turkey’s military commander _____ • In Hungary a newly refurbished memorial to Soviet soldiers there reflects the growing divide among European Union member states on how to deal with Russia President Vladimir V Putin is to visit Budapest today Viktor Orban Hungary’s euroskeptic prime minister has earned praise in Moscow for pushing to end Western sanctions against Russia _____ • Introducing The Daily your new audio news report Our reporter Michael Barbaro runs down the big stories and the big ideas Fifteen minutes a day five days a week Listen here or at your favorite podcast spot _____ • Snapchat’s parent company is expected to reveal its initial public offering filing this week heading toward a March debut as a “mega-unicorn” on the New York Stock Exchange at a value of $20 billion to $25 billion • Facebook’s revenue driven by mobile advertising shot up more than 50 percent in the fourth quarter But its Oculus unit lost a $500 million lawsuit involving copyright infringement • Bosch will pay $327 5 million to settle a lawsuit over claims that the company helped devise software used to cheat on emissions tests • Here’s a snapshot of global markets • Romania had some of the largest protests since the fall of Communism as outrage grew over a government decree that decriminalized some forms of graft [ Bloomberg ] • Britain’s House of Commons overwhelmingly voted in favor of Prime Minister Theresa May’s “Brexit” bill It was not the final verdict but indicated that efforts to slow Britain’s withdrawal from the E U would most likely fail [ The New York Times ] • Israeli security forces clashed with settlers defying a court order to evacuate the unauthorized settlement outpost of Amona in the West Bank [ The New York Times ] • The authorities in Germany searched more than 50 homes offices and mosques in antiterrorism raids but the result — one arrest — just renewed questions of whether the country’s security apparatus could deal with the threat [ The New York Times ] • The death of Étienne Tshisekedi in Brussels has deprived the Democratic Republic of Congo’s opposition of its principal figurehead as talks on a transition of power stalled [ Reuters ] • The Netherlands will count ballots in next month’s elections by hand the government said citing fears that hackers could manipulate the results [ The New York Times ]
• New Year’s resolutions: For all of February Smarter Living is here to help you stick to your goals More than 600 of you wrote in since we kicked things off Monday on everything from losing weight and getting fit to resolving to build a boat (yes a boat) We’ve rounded up some of our favorites here A few trends emerged so here are a few helpful articles about fitness / nutrition / weight loss personal finances mental health and productivity / time management And if your goal doesn’t fit into those no sweat: Our tips throughout the month will be helpful no matter what your resolution is • Recipe of the day: Baked potatoes and creamed braising greens work as sides or as a meal • The Egyptian soccer team ’s winning streak in the Africa Cup continued with a narrow victory against Burkina Faso It will face Cameroon or Ghana in the finals on Sunday • Men whose prostate cancer recurs after surgery are more likely to survive if along with the usual radiation they take drugs to block male hormones a study found • Gluck the British artist who defied gender roles in the 1920s is the subject of a new show in London • And Zurich’s fourth district a former red-light area now brims with elegance Does it matter whether a groundhog knows when spring will arrive? Whether or not Punxsutawney Phil sees a shadow today in Pennsylvania the vernal equinox is less than seven weeks away While Groundhog Day is popular in the U S there are harbingers of the season elsewhere that don’t involve a rodent The Bosnian tradition of Cimburijada also known as the Festival of Scrambled Eggs celebrates the first day of spring with a supersize breakfast In Alaska the Nenana Ice Classic is a statewide contest with a six-figure jackpot for correctly guessing when the Nenana River’s ice will break — sometime between mid-April and mid-May is typical But there’s a celebration in the Royal Burgh of Lanark Scotland that stands apart for its unique name: Whuppity Scoorie On every first of March children swing balls of paper on a string tied around their heads while running three times around the town’s bell known as the kirk Whuppity Scoorie’s origins are unclear but some view it as a pagan festival meant to drive out evil and welcome spring The townspeople don’t seem to mind the ambiguity “That’s the great thing about it ” a longtime resident once said “You make up your own myth ” Remy Tumin contributed reporting _____ Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings Read the latest edition of the U S briefing here and the latest for Asia and Australia here What would you like to see here? Contact us at europebriefing@nytimes com 2017 02 02 01 22 PATR CK BOEHLER www ny mes com
Deshon Taylor scores 25 Fresno State tops Air Force 73-64
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FRESNO Calif (AP) — Deshon Taylor scored a career-high 25 points and Fresno State used a 14-3 run in the second half to defeat Air Force 73-64 on Wednesday night Taylor s 3-point play put the Bulldogs up 50-48 with 11:19 to play and he followed with a 3-pointer Jahmel Taylor sandwiched a pair of 3s around one by the Falcons to make it 59-51 before Deshon Taylor knocked down two free throws The Falcons only made 2 of their last 10 shots and shot 32 percent in the second half while Fresno State shot 50 percent and made 13 of 17 from the foul line Jahmel Taylor and Jaron Hopkins scored 15 each for the Bulldogs (14-8 6-4 Mountain West) with Deshon Taylor making 12 of 13 from the line Karachi Edo grabbed 10 rebounds Frank Toohey scored 16 for Air Force (10-12 3-6) who had a 12-point lead early but trailed 34-32 at the half as the Bulldogs closed with a 10-2 run It was the first time in its last 12 conference wins that Fresno State has won by more than three points Copyright 2017 The Associated Press All rights reserved This material may not be published broadcast rewritten or redistributed 2017 02 02 01 22 AP rss eeds usa oday com
Top 10 Best Valentine’s Day Shirts for Men & Women
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Say you don’t take Valentine’s Day too seriously but you still want to get a little something to tell your valentine that you’re thinking of them Something kind of silly but maybe something practically useful too One thing that fits that bill is a shirt
Shirts are first and foremost useful obviously But they’re also flexible as gifts They come in a variety of colors and you have your pick of funny or sweet sayings emblazoned on them They’re just as good as a legitimate gift as they are a gag gift We included one in our list of the top 10 best long distance relationship gifts but we thought we should give you even more options in that arena For the record we don’t mean Bullet for My Valentine or My Bloody Valentine shirts not that we’d stop you if that’s the direction you wanted to go If you’re looking for a gift that’s sweet and silly here’s our list of the top 10 best Valentine’s Day shirts for men and women Might as well start simple and to the point This shirt alerts all that you (or your partner) is taken — both on Valentine’s Day and otherwise Made of 100 percent pre-shrunk cotton the letters and heart are printed with eco-friendly plastisol for long life It’s available in eight sizes from small to 5XL Don’t worry there’s a Not Taken version too Need more options? Browse more ShirtInvaders products here Price: $22 – 30 If you re shopping for someone this Valentine s Day consider our list of the top ten best charm bracelets
This fashionable shirt is made of 95 percent Rayon and five percent Spandex for a soft feel It’s made in the U S and comes in either this olive color or grey Both color schemes have the contrasting neckline for a little more visual interest Sizes are medium and small only Need more options? Browse more Kaylyn Kayden products here Price: $19 90 (16 percent off MSRP) For all of you separated from the one you love this year here s our list of the top ten best long distance gifts for Valentine s Day What’s more Valentine’s than a matching couples shirt? Get these 100 percent pre-shrunk cotton shirts for you and your partner and make everyone else revel in your love Could also be used in engagement photo shoots if you were so inclined Sizes run small to 5XL for men and small to XXL for women You can also choose between black blue and aqua for colors Need more options? Browse more TeeStars products here Price: $14 99 – $17 99 each If you re looking for a good last-minute Valentine s Day gift try our top five best chocolate gift baskets
Whether you’re in a relationship or not we can all agree that pizza reigns supreme (and I don’t mean the toppings) Available in black grey red or white this long-sleeve 100 percent pre-shrunk cotton shirt will declare your love for pizza on Valentine’s or any other day Sizes run from small to XXL If you happen to be part of a happy couple you can still show your love of pizza with these Couples Apparel The Missing Piece matching shirts Or perhaps your love lies with wine or even French fries The choice is yours Need more options? Browse more TeeStars products here Price: $9 95 – $11 95 Sticking with the food theme who doesn’t love a pun-based invitation for affection? Wear this around your crush It’s bound to work Colors include grass silver and slate while sizes run from small to 3XL for men and small to XL for women Like most of the others this is a 100 percent cotton tee Price: $19 99 For the coffee drinker on your list we ve put together a list of the top 20 best coffee gift baskets to give as gifts
Perhaps you want something a little more subtle This adorable tank is made from Tri Blend (50% Polyester 25% Cotton and 25% Rayon made in the U S ) which gives it that soft vintage-y feel Available sizes are small medium and large and these apparently run a bit small If you prefer you can get these penguins in love printed on a raglan pullover sweatshirt instead You could also opt for seahorses bunnies in love or if you want something a little more oblique an anatomical heart Need more options? Browse more Friendly Oak products here Price: $20 45 (10 percent off MSRP) Give the people on your list the chance to own something made especially for them by shopping our list of the top 30 best handmade gifts Has ol’ Donnie Trumps got you down? Are you longing for something a little more communal? Celebrate your love and the vision of communism with this Karl Marx-themed shit Colors include Grass Baby Blue Red Royal Blue and Cranberry Sizes run from small to 3XL for men and small to XL for women They even come in kids sizes if you should need one Need more options? Browse more DumbShirts co products here Price: $24 99 Here are our picks for the top ten best luxury gifts for women to help inspire you to gift greatness Want to get even nerdier than historical treatises on government and society? Try this formulaic approach to rendering a heart for Valentine’s day The color selection here is vast and includes: black brown charcoal dusk forest gold Irish military navy and royal Sizes run from small to 5XL and judging from the brand’s description all versions of this shirt should be 100 percent pre-shrunk cotton There’s a version for women too but the colors are limited to royal navy and black for some reason Note: I have not checked to see if this formula is accurate Good luck Need more options? Browse more Feelin Good Tees products here Price: $9 99 – $14 99 Flowers are always well-received on Valentine s Day and we ve compiled the top five arrangements to help you choose a winning gift
A bounty hunter but for love I’m not totally sure why they mashed up Cupid and Boba Fett but now that it’s here I think it makes a pretty great shirt Express your love via Star Wars as is correct Sizes run small to XXL on this slim-fitting tee If you were hoping for something in a matching couples option may I direct you to these “I Love You”/”I Know” shirts in charcoal or black Deluxe versions are also available complete with Han and Leia images Need more options? Browse more Fifth Sun products here Price: $18 Here are the top five best Valentine s Day candy gift ideas to delight your Valentine this year Finally let’s face it: not everyone likes Valentine’s Day even if you’re happily coupled My wife and I aren’t big on it either Give your not-Valentine a shirt they can wear on February 14th to make sure people know they don’t care Choose from black heather navy purple turquoise and white in sizes ranging from small to XXL All are 100 percent pre-shrunk cotton except the heather which is 50 percent cotton 50 percent polyester Need more options? Browse more Spreadshirt products here Price: $16 49 Looking for more relatively inexpensive but useful gifts? Try our list of the best cheap Bluetooth speakers Or go for something irreverent with the best gifts for cat lovers If you re looking for something unique here are the top five best Valentine s Day handmade jewelry deals 2017 02 02 01 21 Randa Tompk ns heavy com
Dozier Notice lead No 19 South Carolina past LSU 88-63
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BATON ROUGE La (AP) — South Carolina coach Frank Martin was curious to see if the 19th-ranked Gamecocks could remain locked in and sustain their intensity against a struggling opponent in front of a meager crowd He liked what he saw PJ Dozier and Duane Notice each scored 17 points and South Carolina dominated in a wire-to-wire win over LSU 88-63 on Wednesday night "I wasn t real comfortable with the situation that we were walking into " Martin said adding that he thought it was significant that his team has already matched its total of four SEC road wins last season "League play is hard And when you re on the road and you can win you celebrate When you can win the way we did today you ve got to feel good about your team " Chris Silva tied a career high with 16 points and Sindarius Thornwell also scored 16 for the Gamecocks (18-4 8-1 Southeastern Conference) who are off to their best start in conference play since the 1997 squad opened its SEC schedule 11-0 The victory also lifted South Carolina into a tie with eighth-ranked Kentucky atop the league standings
"Our coaching staff definitely harped on going into every game with the same mindset no matter what team we re playing " Dozier said "We know LSU has spectacular talent They ve struggled for a couple of games but we know they re due for a good game any day now We just didn t want them to have a great game against us " Brandon Sampson scored 16 points and Skylar Mays 11 for LSU (9-12 1-8) which trailed by 20 in the first half en route to its eighth straight defeat — seven by 13 points or more "On the defensive end we did not make it tough enough for them in the first half " LSU coach Johnny Jones said "We were not aggressive enough not playing at the level or competing at the level that you need to against a team like this " South Carolina shot 49 2 percent while outscoring LSU 42-32 inside and turned 22 Tigers turnovers into 34 points "They re known for their defense " Mays said "We fell into their traps " BIG PICTURE South Carolina: The Gamecocks opened the game with intensity showing no signs of playing down to the competition and doing exactly what would be expected of them against a struggling team in a largely empty stadium Dozier (14 points) Silva (12 points) and Thornwell (11 points) all reached double figures in scoring in the first half when South Carolina raced to a 20-point lead less than 12 minutes into the game "Whenever we come out defensive-minded our offense gets flowing pretty fast " said Dozier who made five of his first nine shots including a 3 in the opening 20 minutes "That s definitely what happened for me today "
LSU: The Tigers continue to show little sign of being competitive Their 18-point halftime hole could have been even worse if not for a 14-point outburst by Sampson in the opening 20 minutes including a 7-0 LSU run during which Sampson hit a 3 turned a steal into a breakaway dunk and added another layup through a crowd "We don t have any room to put our heads down right now " Sampson said "We just have to keep moving forward " POLL IMPLICATIONS The comfortable victory certainly won t hurt South Carolina in the poll but isn t likely to help much either JAMMED UP
For all their dominance the Gamecocks spectacularly missed a pair of one-handed dunk attempts sending long rebounds rocketing off the rim Hassani Gravett missed on an alley-oop attempt in the first half and Silva clanked a driving dunk attempt in the second CALLED DOWN
The lower rows of bleacher-style seating where the rowdiest students usually sit was practically empty when the game began LSU gymnastics coach D-D Breaux changed that — for one half at least — when she climbed into the upper reaches of the student section and persuaded several dozen students to move down behind the goal By halftime however a number of them abandoned the section if not the stadium UP NEXT South Carolina hosts Georgia on Saturday LSU hosts Texas A&M on Saturday night ___ More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball ap org Copyright 2017 The Associated Press All rights reserved This material may not be published broadcast rewritten or redistributed 2017 02 02 01 21 AP rss eeds usa oday com
Washington State councilwoman arrested for outburst at Sessions hearing
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WASHINGTON D C — Bremerton City Councilwoman Leslie Daugs was arrested Tuesday for shouting an expletive at a confirmation hearing for one of President Trump s cabinet nominees As the Senate Judiciary Committee debated the merits of U S Sen Jeff Sessions for attorney general Daugs a Democrat and critic of the Trump administration said she yelled "This is bull---- " attracting the attention of the Capitol Police She was escorted out cuffed and taken to a station After about four hours she was released Daugs said she was provoked by two men who she said were "strong supporters" of Trump and who were "high-fiving and fist-bumping" while Republicans including Sen Ted Cruz spoke highly of Sessions So Daugs said she blurted out her own feelings "All their little antics went unnoticed " Daugs said "And my antic was noticed " It s illegal "to utter loud threatening or abusive language or to engage in any disorderly or disruptive conduct" on Capitol grounds Capitol Police spokesman Eva Malecki confirmed Daugs arrest during the Judiciary Committee s hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building along with that of three others who were taken into custody for "disruption of Congress " The Kitsap Sun has requested a copy of the police report of the incident
Daugs was accompanying her husband Daryl to the nation s capital where he s been doing business in his role as Kitsap County s Habitat for Humanity executive director She said she decided to go to Capitol Hill "just to listen and observe " It took several hours to even get to view the hearing she said No fan of Sessions Daugs said she has no regrets about her remark or arrest In her third term on the City Council Daugs who works as a security guard at Mountain View Middle School and is president of the local chapter of the Service Employees International Union said she s stepped up her political advocacy since Trump became president She feels her values as a Filipino-American and a woman are at risk "I need to speak up for all the people I represent " she said If convicted of the misdemeanor Daugs faces a maximum penalty of a $500 fine and six months in prison according to the laws of the District of Columbia She has a Feb 15 court date She said Wednesday that she s not yet hired a lawyer It s unclear whether there will be consequences for Daugs in her role on the Bremerton City Council Council President Eric Younger said he would reserve judgment until he has a better picture of what took place He noted felons cannot serve on the City Council This allegation is a misdemeanor His concern was that though she s "free to express her opinion elected officials are held to a higher standard " "Like it or not her actions do reflect on the council " he said
Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent pointed out that Daugs is allowed to speak her mind while not representing the city and that her position as the city s executive does not have authority over Daugs role on the legislative branch the council Still Lent said what Daugs said at the Capitol "isn’t anything we would allow in a City Council meeting " She noted Daugs also is innocent until proven guilty The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Sessions nomination Wednesday on a party-line vote Follow Josh Farley on Twitter: @joshfarley 2017 02 02 01 20 Josh Far ey rss eeds usa oday com
ARMM police chief: We’ll retrain transform bad cops
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People concerned about unscrupulous cops being sent to Mindanao have nothing to worry because these policemen will eventually be “reoriented retrained reformed and transformed ” assured the chief of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional police ARMM regional police head Chief Supt Reuben Theodore Sindac said a total of 151 “scalawags in uniform” have been reassigned to his area as the Philippine National Police (PNP) started cleansing its ranks following the killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo In a press statement Sindac addressed concerns raised by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman about the PNP transferring undisciplined cops including those involved in illegal drug activities to Mindanao READ: Pimentel to PNP: Don’t send erring cops to Mindanao as punishment Sindac said that these personnel will be “limited to administrative functions where they were closely monitored and accounted for ”
He said their reassignment to ARMM which is composed of Basilan Lanao del Sur Maguindanao Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces will “prevent them from going back to their old ways and would also deny them from furthering their connections to illegal crime syndicates ” “This transfer of personnel is also happening in other region As a matter of fact ‘narco cops’ from Mindanao were likewise reassigned to other regions in Luzon for the same reasons ” he said “In this process the personnel will eventually be reoriented retrained reformed and transformed ” Sindac added The regional director also pointed out that the 151 bad cops assigned to ARMM are merely 2 2% out of the 6 727 total strength of dedicated police officers there doing operational and sensitive peacekeeping functions “This approach will give them another chance that will either redeem or end their careers in this region ” he said In an earlier interview PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said sending rogue cops to far-flung areas is one way of disrupting their illegal operations although he said only 2 percent of the 165 000-strong police force are engaging in nefarious activities /rga 2017 02 02 01 20 Ju ane Love news n o nqu rer ne
Bill held after nearly three hours of testimony about polygamy
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SALT LAKE CITY — After nearly three hours of often emotional testimony about polygamy including from women who said they were forced into underage marriages a House committee voted to hold a bill altering the definition of bigamy HB99 sponsored by Rep Mike Noel R-Kanab drew a standing room only audience that also included men and women who told members of the House Judiciary Committee they feared prosecution for practicing polygamy The committee chose to hold the bill after an amendment was proposed by Rep Brian Greene R-Pleasant Grove that would reduce the penalty for bigamy from a felony to a class A misdemeanor and make it a secondary offense Greene said he wanted to ensure the existing policy of not prosecuting bigamy as a "stand alone" offense would continue warning the attorney general s office "can easily flip the switch back" if lawmakers don t take action "It s clear that this is a complex issue and I don t think the original bill did it justice " Greene said "Wherever we go from here I think we really need to make sure we’re not painting this whole community with a broad brush " Noel opposed the amendment saying he had made a commitment not to reduce the penalty The committee agreed with Rep Lowry Snow R-Santa Clara who asked that more work be done on the bill Snow said that they should be looking at prosecuting those who use "religious influence especially with children " that causes abuse The bill Noel said was an effort to comply with recent court rulings by defining bigamy as both purporting to marry someone while already married and co-habiting with that person He said after the meeting he didn t know what would happen next Noel had asked the committee to take the dramatic step of swearing-in several witnesses including LuAnn Cooper a member of the Kingston family who had to quit school at 15 to marry her 23-year-old first cousin "I lived in a loveless marriage He considered me an item rather than a person " she told the committee "I am here today because I feel polygamy doesn’t get prosecuted People are getting away with it " Scott Howell a former state senator described how six women escaping a polygamous group turned up in his legislative office because they didn t want their daughters to have to submit sexually to the group s leader "It s time for the state to be honest and forthright about the existence of polygamy in Utah " Howell said likening the forced marriages of young girls in such groups to a human sacrifice Some in the audience offered a different view of polygamy Veronica Baker who brought her young daughter to the hearing said she was raised in a loving polygamist family but had to call her father by his given name because her mother was not his first wife and the family feared prosecution "We had to lie to everyone we knew because our father would be thrown in jail " she recalled When her father was there Baker said "it was a happy thing All of my moms were happy to have him home " Others said that fear of prosecution would make it harder to help those who want to leave a polygamist group "I have no love for polygamy " said Shirlee Draper a former FLDS member who now advocates for victims of the polygamous community "To tell me I would have been a felon for practicing my religion I would have gone underground " 2017 02 02 01 20 L sa R ey www desere news com
‘Pink Beach’ in Zamboanga to get a facelift — Teo
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Zamboanga’s Great Sta Cruz Island recently named among the “21 Best Beaches in the World” by National Geographic will get a facelift soon said Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo The DOT secretary on Thursday announced that the facilities on the pink beach would be upgraded with additional cottages and more nature-based recreational activities READ: Zamboanga’s ‘Pink Beach’ among world’s best — National Geographic Teo ordered DOT Region 9 Director Antonio Blanco to coordinate with Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to assist in the upgrades
“The planned development will highlight its conservation and preservation it being a protected area Nonetheless the outcome should enable locals and foreign visitors alike to enjoy the island’s beauty but still strictly maintaining it as a day destination ” she said in a statement “We would like to attract genuine ecotourists as they take ‘responsible ethical and sustainable tourism’ to heart ” she added Isla de Sta Cruz or the Great Sta Cruz Island was supervised by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) DOT’s implementing arm for infrastructure before it was turned over to the local government in 2011 under the City Tourism Office Protected Management Unit Teo expressed elation over the inclusion of the island in National Geographic’s 21 Best Beaches in the World “We are so proud about this citation and happy about its very timely announcement which comes right after our visit in December when I had pushed for the island’s immediate improvement and development as an ecotourism destination ” the DOT chief said Nat Geo highlighted the island’s pink-colored sand in an online article CBB/rga 2017 02 02 01 19 Ed Margare h news n o nqu rer ne
New grass-roots group vows to put political pressure on Utah representatives to resist Trump
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SALT LAKE CITY — Dates Times Places
Those were the main tasks at hand Wednesday night as Salt Lake Indivisible a new organization vowing to resist President Donald Trump at every turn through grass-roots methods met for the first time Suggestions focused on "action-based" protests of the new president — including one former GOP official s proposal to turn Republican primaries upside down in an effort to elect anti-Trump politicians About 150 people crowded into a meeting room at Wasatch Presbyterian Church to agree on Salt Lake Indivisible s mission and organize into groups designed to put heat on Utah s congressional delegation to oppose Trump s policies "If you are concerned with the unexplored influence of Russian operatives on our election; if you are concerned with the ever more frequent attacks on a free press; if you are concerned with the absurd Muslim ban; if you are concerned with Trump s destabilization of the world order then this is the place for you " said Joanne Slotnik a recently retired Salt Lake City attorney who served as executive director of the state s Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee and once worked for the Utah Attorney General s Office Slotnik and co-founder Lincoln Hobbs Salt Lake-based real estate and general practice attorney said the sole purpose of Salt Lake Indivisible is to enable members to apply consistent political pressure to Utah s representatives and senators in Congress to push back against the new president s decisions Hobbs said the organization along with more than 2 000 Indivisible chapters nationwide is taking a page from the playbook of Tea Party activists in order to achieve that goal The Indivisible Guide an online call to action that is in part the inspiration behind Indivisible chapters was written by former congressional staffers who denounced the ideology of the Tea Party but praised its resistance tactics "We don’t want to be divisive We want to be professional we want to be respectful but we want to be heard " Hobbs told the crowd Scores of new Salt Lake Indivisible members stood around large easel pads to outline strategies to boost town hall meeting attendance demand more town hall forums and write letters to the editor to various publications That was in addition to discussion about coordinating phone calls letters and emails to congressional offices in opposition to specific Trump policy proposals or appointments Guest speaker David Irvine former Davis County Republican Party chairman and four-term representative in the Utah Legislature suggested that Democrats register as Republicans and vote for anti-Trump conservatives in GOP primary elections Cheers erupted when he introduced his proposal "I really believe that’s where the pivot point comes " he said Irvine said Reps Jason Chaffetz and Mia Love would be especially vulnerable in a primary election filled with Democrats seeking anti-Trump leaders Salt Lake Indivisible which calls itself a nonpartisan group has gained more than 2 000 members on Facebook after creating a page there in mid-January It is a sister chapter to Utah Indivisible which has more than 1 700 members 2017 02 02 01 19 Ben Lockhar www desere news com
East London Ironman athletes call for more support
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Siphokazi Vuso GroundUp East London - Busisiwe Sintili 27 lives in Duncan Village She says she never misses a race in her home town But on Sunday when the 10th edition of the Standard Bank Ironman race took place in East London Sintili could only watch: she does not own a bike and she cannot swim The event consisted of three parts: first a 1 9km swim in the ocean off East London s Orient Beach then a 90 1km cycle and finally a half-marathon run 21 1km In all it s a gruelling 113 1km The SABC reported that the men s event was won by Frenchman Romain Guillaume and the women s event was won for the seventh consecutive time by Jodie Cunnama from the UK "There are no public swimming pools in my township where I could learn to swim and I don t know how to ride a bike because I never had one " said Sintili "Running is better because you don t need much "Running can be hard though sometimes Where I live you can get robbed or raped so I can t train in the evenings " Sikelela Kakele 25 from Mdantsane works as a seasonal lifeguard He is also a volunteer instructor at a local gym He finished the Ironman event but described the difficulties he has participating in these events: "One of the challenges I have is with training I should be on a special diet in order to perform well in every race but I can t afford it As a result I had cramps throughout the race " he said This is the third time he has competed in the Ironman New sports development office Although he is part of the Buffalo City triathlon team that is sponsored for every race he says the money is not enough "It helps a lot with putting us in the race paying the registration fee giving us a bike and a wetsuit "But the rest you have to figure out for yourself More should be done especially for athletes like me who are unemployed " he said He said he had qualified twice for world championships but had not been able to go because of lack of funding He has qualified for the South African championships for the third time this year He wants to go to the world championships this year and to coach young people who are interested in sports Bulelwa Buso came to support Kakele She said she wished there were more sponsors in schools and townships "where underprivileged young people who love to be part of this can be assisted" Parents and teachers should encourage young people to participate in sport she said Siya Daweti 21 from New Brighton Port Elizabeth also finished the Ironman He said if it weren t for his team who helped him get a bike and offered him transport to East London he wouldn t have been able to take part Buffalo City Municipality told GroundUp it has established a new sports development office The mayor s spokesperson Ayabulela Ngoqo said the city was working with communities schools and clubs to develop sports in townships and rural areas 2017 02 02 01 18 www news24 com
Immigrant rights group files lawsuit against Trump ban
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Immigrant rights groups filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday in Portland seeking an injunction against President Donald Trump s executive order on immigration
Unite Oregon a nonprofit made up of immigrants refugees and people of color filed the suit asking the court to prohibit the government from "unconstitutionally banishing" lawful immigrants or refugees who seek to return to their homes jobs or reunite with families at Portland International Airport The suit asks that the order be declared unconstitutional and also seeks to allow people detained at the airport to be afforded access to legal help from the American Civil Liberties Union Mat dos Santos legal director for the ACLU of Oregon has signed the suit as has attorney Stephen Manning of the Immigration Law Group Pro bono attorneys in Portland have been helping from one to three people a day who called a hotline before they were detained by federal officials when they entered Portland International Airport or before they traveled dos Santos said at a Wednesday news conference But ACLU s attorneys have repeatedly been denied access to travelers who are being questioned inside the airport he said Trump s order which has spurred protests nationwide temporarily suspends the entire U S refugee program and bans all entry from seven countries with majority-Muslim populations for 90 days The suit filed in Portland is the latest legal challenge Washington state s attorney general sued Trump on Monday over the order Muwafaq Alkattan an Iraqi refugee who arrived in Oregon with his wife and four daughters in 2012 said even though his family was already safely here Trump s action was having a profound effect on them including fears that some of his family will never be able to visit them "It feels risky to be a refugee " said Alkattan who worked as a civil engineer in Iraq on a UNICEF program to rebuild that nation s schools He now works for Unite Oregon The news conference also attracted some people from Portland s Iraqi refugee community who came with questions about the future for green card applicants and those who want to apply for citizenship Ahmed Ali who said he worked as a journalist in Iraq for years came to the U S in 2015 "People don t understand No one saw this coming They are panicked " Ali said of his fellow Iraqi refugees "What are we supposed to do? " 2017 02 02 01 18 By G LL AN www henews r bune com
Lawmakers weigh override of Gov Baker's veto of pay raises
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Republican Gov Charlie Baker s veto may not be the last word on Beacon Hill pay raises The House and Senate are scheduled to hold formal sessions on Thursday and both chambers could vote on whether to override the veto of the bill that would give annual pay raises to top legislators statewide elected officials and judges The bill passed the House by a 115-44 margin and the Senate 31-9 Based on those votes critics of the proposed pay hikes need to swing at least 10 votes in the House or five in the Senate to sustain the veto Baker has called the bill "fiscally irresponsible " It would cost the state about $18 million annually Legislative leaders say higher salaries would help attract and retain highly-qualified leaders in state government 2017 02 02 01 18 The Assoc a ed www henews r bune com
Julio Jones Falcons wide receiver keeps a low profile
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But though he s a superstar in the highest-octane offense in the NFL what you get off the field is a man who is low-key and soft-spoken "That s just him period " Falcons wide receiver Eric Weems told CNN "During the games (he s) calm laid back doesn t get too excited That s just who he is You can t change that about him which is a good thing " Jones who turns 28 on Friday is the only receiver in the NFL averaging 100 yards per game this season He s the only player in NFL history to have two postseason games with at least 180 receiving yards and two touchdown catches And he finished second in the NFL with 1 409 receiving yards in 2016 Jones who is a matchup nightmare is a huge reason why the Falcons are in their second Super Bowl in franchise history And the Alabama native is keeping the outlook simple "I m just looking forward toward the game " Jones recently told reporters "I don t care about what s going on around the Super Bowl My job is to prepare to get ready for this game " On his fishing hobby: My thing is to get away Jones averages 96 3 yards per game for his career which is first on the NFL s list of all-time career receiving yards per game That s better than other well known receivers like Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers who recently apologized for posting a Facebook Live video in the Steelers locker room after a postseason game Or the New York Giants Odell Beckham Jr who had to answer questions about his boat trip to Miami after a playoff loss to the Packers Those receivers bask in the limelight Jones is the opposite though he could be found on a boat for a different reason He likes to fish in his down time "That s who he is " said Weems "He s from the country from Bama You ve got to expect that " Jones said this week that one of his best catches came away from the football field when he reeled in a sailfish in South Carolina two years ago "I just want to get away " Jones said "My thing is to get away You re always going to have something to detach and for me I just go and don t think Just fish and enjoy myself " Don t go out your way to have a lot of distractions Those in football circles particularly in the South have known about Jones for quite some time He was a five-star recruit coming out of the city of Foley which is southeast of Mobile and has less than 15 000 people Jones elected to play college ball at the University of Alabama under head coach Nick Saban As someone highly recruited it would have been easy for him to feel like he had a star role immediately "But coach Saban he made me work for everything " Jones said "That s why I respect him because he didn t give me Oh you re going to start at receiver I had to work my way up the chart " Jones said his experience at Alabama helped him learn "how to handle success " "You can t have the moment bigger than you or your teammates in what you re trying to accomplish " Jones said "Continue to do the things that got you there Don t do anything extra and don t go out your way to have a lot of distractions " Jones won a national championship with the Crimson Tide in the 2009 season his sophomore year He turned pro after his junior season and the Falcons took a gamble and traded up to pick him sixth overall in the 2011 NFL Draft It looks like now that trade paid off but that doesn t mean there s added pressure on him to lead Atlanta "Not at all " Jones said "I m highly prepared for this There s no added pressure on me because I don t have to go out here and do it by myself I ve got my brothers to do it with me " There was another Alabama question raised this week At Super Bowl Opening Night Jones was asked if he would wear gear of college rival Auburn for a week if it meant the Falcons would win the Super Bowl "No I will not but that s not the case " Jones said "For a victory on Sunday we just have to put the work in preparation We have to stick to what we know " 2017 02 02 01 18 J
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Paris Hilton is the Epitome of Elegance in Her Latest Instagram Post
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Paris Hilton may have been the party girl of the 2000s but has come a long way since then The 35-year-old socialite and Hilton hotels heiress rose to fame as the ‘it’ girl of the millennium gaining notoriety for her wild partying and a string of high-profile relationships Hilton’s reality show The Simple Life in which she starred alongside ex-BFF Nicole Richie as well as a leaked sex tape with former flame Rick Salomon led to her name being splashed across tabloid headlines The singer-actress was the original Kim Kardashian; she catapulted to fame almost overnight due to her sex tape titled 1 Night in Paris and became famous for being…well famous Following her arrests for drug abuse and drunk driving Hilton cleaned up her act and went on to become a successful businesswoman author and DJ The blonde beauty recently posted a stunning photo on Instagram in which she looks every inch the Hollywood royalty that she is Also Read : Paris Hilton Net Worth
Indeed Paris Hilton has made quite the comeback The blue-eyed heiress famous for her catchphrase “that’s hot ” is back in the news after dabbling in numerous business ventures It seems there isn’t anything Paris can’t do; the reality star has launched multiple retail lines perfumes and has even published books After her initial years in the spotlight Hilton has mostly stayed out of trouble trying to change her image and make a name for herself With the launch of her music career and moonlighting gig as a DJ Hilton has succeeded in earning a spot for herself on the Billboard charts and her highly-anticipated second album is scheduled to release soon
Paris Hilton’s latest Instagram photo caught the eye of her 6 5 million followers and was liked by nearly 14 000 people in the one hour since it was posted The photo captioned “You mustn’t be afraid to sparkle a little brighter darling ” showcases the gorgeous jet-setter looking like a 1950s siren in a luxurious fur coat and elbow-length black gloves Hilton’s long blonde locks are perfectly styled while her flawless makeup adds an aura of mystery as she holds up a lipstick to apply final touches We must say we’re absolutely loving this elegant and mature version of Paris Hilton! Also Read : Kylie Jenner Plus 6 Other Stars Who Want Ridiculous Trademarks 2017 02 02 01 17 Shwe a Dabho kar www earn heneck ace com
Condemned Ohio killer of 2 asks parole board for mercy
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COLUMBUS Ohio (AP) - A condemned Ohio killer who shot two people to death in back-to-back robberies over two days is asking the state parole board to spare his life Gary Otte (OH’-tay) was sentenced to die for the Feb 12 1992 killing of Robert Wasikowski (wah-sih-KOW-skee) and the Feb 13 1992 killing of Sharon Kostura Both killings took place in Parma in suburban Cleveland Otte ’s attorneys argue that drug addiction intoxication and depression led to both slayings They also say he received poor legal help at his trial The Cuyahoga (ky-uh-HOH’-guh) County Prosecutor’s Office says the 45-year-old Otte still won’t take full responsibility and tries to blame others including the victims The board scheduled a hearing Thursday Otte ’s execution is set for March 15 2017 02 02 01 17 By www wash ng on mes com
US bacon shortage denied
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US pig producers have quashed fears of a bacon shortage in the country Mild online panic spread after US Department of Agriculture data showed reserves of frozen pork belly - from which bacon is cut - were at a record low Hashtags including #BaconShortage and #BaconReserves broke out on Twitter But while some predict prices of the breakfast favourite may rise the industry insists there is no danger of supplies running out Pork belly reserves had hit about 8 2 million kg in December according to the government figures compared with about 22 7 million kg a year earlier That was put down to fresh supplies being used as quickly as they were being produced meaning less for freezing and stockpiling The lower levels of pork reserves were pointed out by the Ohio Pork Council a lobby group for pig farmers But it later claimed that the observation - as well as the setting up of a baconshortage com website (which now seems to have been taken down) - was not intended to create concern "Today s pig farmers are setting historic records by producing more pigs than ever " Ohio Pork Council president Rich Deaton said Market analysts expect US pork production to rise by about 3% this year with more processing plants in the pipeline to meet the increased demand Bacon is a staple in many breakfasts burgers and barbeques particularly in America Major restaurant chains like Wendy s and McDonald s have also contributed to increased bacon demand after introducing all-day breakfast menus Pork belly prices also hit their highest level in more than a year on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange this week As a result traders say wholesale pork belly prices are about 37% higher than they were at the same time last year though this has not yet translated to significantly higher prices for consumers However bacon eaters will likely see the higher prices in about three months David Maloni president of research firm American Restaurant Association told Reuters It is not just in the US where pork availability - and prices - are a serious matter In China the world s largest pork consumer the government has on occasions intervened by releasing more of the meat onto the market to curb prices and help control inflation 2017 02 02 01 16 www bbc co uk
Body of Utah man who died on way to job interview found
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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Authorities have found the body of a missing 19-year-old Utah man believed to have gotten lost on his way to a job interview before his vehicle got stuck in a remote area Tooele County Sheriff’s Lt Ron Johnson says Johnny Doerr ’s body was found Tuesday He died from exposure to the cold Police say Doerr ’s vehicle got stuck in a deep snowbank last week and that the teen tried digging the car out before walking to get help His family reported him missing when he didn’t return home that afternoon Johnson says the temperature had been between 0 and 19 degrees at the time Doerr leaves behind a girlfriend with whom he was expecting a daughter in just a few weeks 2017 02 02 01 14 By www wash ng on mes com
Utility: Upgrades will better serve central Maine residents
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CHINA Maine (AP) - A Maine utility says upgrades to its energy grid will improve service to a host of communities in the central part of the state Central Maine Power Company says the upgrades are complete and will serve customers in Kennebec and Waldo counties The utility says it has launched a new substation in South China and a distribution circuit that serves China Freedom Liberty Palermo Vassalboro and Windsor The utility says the South China substation was a $6 5 million investment The utility also says the upgrades will provide for more capacity and better reliability for homeowners and businesses in the area The project’s part of about $40 million the utility says it invested in the energy grid in 2016 2017 02 02 01 13 By www wash ng on mes com
Medals for 2020 Tokyo Olympics to be made of recycled metal
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TOKYO — Organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics say metal from discarded electronic devices will be used in the production of the medals that will be awarded to athletes Japanese citizens are being asked to give the organizing committee unwanted devices Organizers say the program highlights the theme of sustainability and gives the whole nation a chance to participate in the preparations for the games The organizing committee aims to collect as much as eight tons of metal which after the production process will result in two tons an amount needed to produce 5 000 Olympic and Paralympic medals Collection boxes will be set up throughout the country The collection will end when the eight-ton target is reached 2017 02 02 01 12 Assoc a ed Press spor s nqu rer ne
Potentially dangerous chemicals found in fast-food wrappers researchers say
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For more than three decades fast-food chains have relied on the chemical industry to keep grease and oil from soaking through burger wrappers french fry cartons and pizza boxes Few questioned the safety of the specially coated food packaging until the early 2000s when lawsuits uncovered the history of a class of chemicals that were widely used in consumer goods with practically no government oversight Researchers slowly began to realise that many of those compounds known as perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) break down in people’s bodies to a chemical called PFOA that lingers in the bloodstream for years Other studies determined that PFOA can cause cancer damage the liver trigger reproductive problems and scramble hormones during critical stages of development It turned out food wrappers were a major source of exposure Under oath a former DuPont chemist described how customers ingested the chemicals every time they ate a french fry McDonald’s Burger King and other chains pledged to stop using the chemicals and manufacturers began to phase them out Last year the US Food and Drug Administration banned the use of three PFCs in food packaging But some fast-food restaurants continue to rely in part on grease-resistant packaging made with structurally similar chemicals that remain largely unknown to independent researchers many of whom are concerned about potential health risks lected from McDonald’s Burger King Starbucks and other restaurants contained fluorine a key building block in PFCs Some contained traces of PFOA one of the chemicals banned by the FDA The study published Wednesday in the peer-reviewed journal highlights the long often difficult process of identifying new chemicals in the marketplace and determining if they can cause harm It also raises questions about corporate branding McDonald’s and Burger King for instance have promoted their packaging as “PFOA-free ” meaning it doesn’t contain banned PFCs Fluorine however was detected in samples collected from both chains — indicating companies have embraced chemicals related to PFOA “We just don’t know enough about the safety of these new chemicals ” said David Andrews a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group who co-authored the study with researchers from federal and state agencies universities and other nonprofit organisations “Since there are other options out there this should be a wake-up call for these companies ” PFOA and related chemicals were used for decades to make Teflon the nonstick coating pioneered by DuPont and thousands of other products that resist stains grease and water Manufacturers say their replacements described as “short-chain” because they contain fewer fluorine-carbon bonds than PFOA offer the same benefits but leave the body faster and are considerably less toxic “Any further regulation of modern-day short-chain food packaging materials is unnecessary and would provide no further benefits to human health or the environment ” the American Chemistry Council the industry’s chief trade group said in a statement Fast-food chains couldn’t immediately be reached for comment When researchers attempted to find out if they were aware of PFCs in their packaging two unnamed companies said they believed their packaging was PFC-free even though it wasn’t according to the study Many of the wrappers and cartons tested did not contain the chemicals The study’s authors suggested that could indicate restaurants obtain packaging from different suppliers some of which use alternative methods to make paper grease-resistant The presence of PFOA the banned PFC in some packaging could have come from recycled paper researchers said Several environmental scientists pointed to a replacement chemical developed by DuPont as an example of a questionable alternative In documents submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency between 2006 and 2013 DuPont reported the chemical branded as GenX caused some of the same health problems in laboratory rats that PFOA does including cancer and reproductive problems Company scientists downplayed the findings by saying they weren’t relevant to humans echoing what DuPont had said earlier about PFOA “If we can all agree that PFOA is hazardous but then we test its replacements with basically the same assays that gave it a ‘passing grade ’ aren’t we missing something?” said Laura Vandenberg a researcher at the University of MassachusettsAmherst who was not involved in the new study More research is needed on the potential hazards of short-chain PFCs at levels similar to how people might be exposed to the chemicals Vandenberg and others said But that work can take years in part because the identities of many chemicals are considered trade secrets and manufacturers aren’t required to tell the FDA or EPA when they are used in food packaging or other products 2017 02 02 01 12 Tr bune News www scmp com
Cincinnati's fire chief announces plans to retire in April
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CINCINNATI (AP) - Cincinnati ’s fire chief has notified city officials he intends to retire in April after six years of leading the fire department Chief Richard Braun (BRAHN) told City Manager Harry Black in a memo that he decided to retire after weighing all of the factors with his family and “much prayer ” Black says the city will form a search committee and advertise nationally for a new chief for the Cincinnati Fire Department Black also is encouraging internal candidates to apply An interim chief will be appointed following Braun ’s last day on April 8 Braun served in the Columbus Fire Division for 36 years before becoming Cincinnati ’s chief in 2011 Black say Braun ’s accomplishments include working to end firehouse brownouts and instilling a culture of respect and pride with the department 2017 02 02 01 07 By www wash ng on mes com
‘Super Dark Times’ Review: Rotterdam Film Festival
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The fecund coming-of-age story receives a genre-twisting injection of violence in debuting director Kevin Phillips ’ alternately sensitive and gory “Super Dark Times ” Jarring in the way it jumps whole hog from a sincere penetrating look at the nightmare of guilt into far more standard psycho territory this teen drama about the repercussions of a tragic accident is so spot-on in its depiction of high school behavior that its shift to slasher mode creates disappointment Still it’s hard not to appreciate the astute ways the script captures the moment when carefree childhood turns into the loss of innocence Visually striking with a fine ear for teen dialogue among boys and excellent performances (especially from Owen Campbell fresh from Sundance kudos on “As You Are”) the film could make a moderate box office splash with steadier returns from VOD The long shadow of “Stand by Me” will always haunt films about the confluence of childhood and death though “Super Dark Times” largely ditches nostalgia for a decidedly darker turn and not just because the 1990s suburban community where it takes place is awash in wood paneling and brown furniture The film’s interest lies in the corrosive effects of guilt more than the shock of mortality and where it works best is in the way it reveals the fragility of teenage security — gone in the blink of an eye Phillips instills a sense of unease from the very beginning in a strikingly edited sequence that shows the aftermath of a stag that crashed through a school window dying slowly on a classroom floor As a policeman looks confusedly at the incongruous animal the cop’s image reflected in the pool of blood his partner stomps on the beast to end its suffering The scene is disturbing without being sensationalized inhabiting an ambiguous space between reality and nightmare and in retrospect forms an appropriate introduction to the violence to come: As so often in movies suburbia and high school offer only a façade of safety Best friends Zach (Campbell) and Josh (Charlie Tahan “The Harvest”) engage in classic teen boy conversation full of silly comparisons (Silver Surfer vs the Punisher) gross-out food dares and ludicrous projections into hypothetical futures Though they find obnoxious foul-mouthed Daryl (Max Talisman) an annoying blowhard they hang with him sometimes; when Josh pulls out his brother’s ninja sword the three decide to take it to the woods and have fun slicing milk cartons with Charlie (Sawyer Barth) the younger brother of a classmate Remember the scene in “Boyhood” when Mason and his older acquaintances fool around with a ninja disc? It generates tension because you’re afraid something terrible will happen but nothing does: Richard Linklater feels too much tenderness for his characters to put them through such tragedy Although Phillips clearly loves some of his characters as well they’re clearly not as safe — as evidenced when Josh accidentally kills Daryl with the sword In a panic the boys cover the body with leaves and ditch the sword agreeing to keep quiet But maintaining a cool exterior isn’t easy for either Zach or Josh The latter shuts down completely locking himself in his room at home while Zach struggles to keep a normal front even as the horror of what happened eats away at his very being His warm supportive single-mom Karen (Amy Hargreaves “How He Fell in Love”) doesn’t really notice the change but Zach’s entire world is crumbling One of the film’s best scenes sees Zach in his bedroom with Allison (Elizabeth Cappuccino) for whom he secretly holds a crush when she makes clear her interest in him But he’s desperately trying to cope with the nightmare he’s just witnessed and quietly cries on her shoulder Everything Zach could want is now within his grasp yet his distress is so great that he can’t savor the moment pushing him even further into emotional turmoil Campbell’s superb performance is pitched beautifully as Zach struggles with inner maelstroms not least of which is the realization that the warmth and protection of home no longer offer safety from his sense of culpability and the fear of discovery
Had the film kept on this track exploring the ramifications of guilt and the loss of purity it could have been an exemplary coming-of-age story notable for a nuanced understanding of teen trauma Instead co-scripters Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski unexpectedly switch gears and opt for horror slicing their way into genre territory Fortunately the characterizations are strong enough by this point to just about withstand the onslaught though disappointment is inevitable Campbell’s standout work goes a significant way toward keeping sympathy for Zach high as does Cappuccino’s fresh and nuanced presence as the girl (practically) next door Camerawork uses classic framing that largely maintains a sense of restraint even when emotions are off-kilter and Ed Yonaitis’ editing is well-calibrated in all scenes emphasizing how every stimulus in Zach’s world now triggers his pain The ’90s are largely evoked by production design (dig the clunky portable phones!) and a few songs from the era 2017 02 02 01 07 Jay We ssberg var e y com
Camille Prats pregnant with second child
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Actress Camille Prats revealed on Wednesday that she is expecting a baby with husband John Yambao to whom she got married last Jan 7 In an interview with GMA News she did not say how many months she was pregnant Prats also posted on Instagram a photo of her family announcing the arrival of a new baby in their lives “Yes our gift from above came via express! it was a surprise and we are happy! ¤ Surprised my @mars_gmanewstv family with the announcement airing on feb 7 #SneakyBebe #YambaoBabyOnBoard “ she said 2017 02 02 01 07 C ar ze Aban a en er a nmen nqu rer ne
Guest column: In the words of Syrian refugees
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According to the president’s executive order “ The entry of nationals of Syria as refugees is detrimental to the interests of the United States " For the past week I’ve been in Istanbul with two colleagues (Nathan Bertelsen of Koc University and Aliriza Arenliu of the University of Pristina) walking the winding streets of Esenler and Fatih two densely populated working-class districts stepping into frigid damp basement flats and meeting with Syrian families More than 3 million Syrians came to Turkey fleeing war with some half million coming to Istanbul We heard their stories of surviving war and displacement and building new lives We are conducting a study of 30 refugee families that focuses on how families are coping with hardships of war and resettlement They came by foot across dangerous mountain passes at night led by smugglers who took all their money with only the clothes on their backs and their children’s lips sealed by tape so their cries would not alert the border guards We saw them in the bazaar buying vegetables and cheese gesturing for what they wanted because they hadn’t yet learned the language Adults and children were hunched over in a one-room textile factory working from 9 a m to 11 p m for 1 000 Turkish lira a month Stephen Henderson: Donald Trump’s first-week actions are about cowardly backlash Raw Data: Refugees in Michigan by the numbers They work all month just to pay for rent and food but worry that “we are not advancing ourselves ” Nonetheless they “hope to improve and to make a better life for our children ” They can visit one of the many Syrian clinics the Turkish authorities allow where a doctor told a newlywed “You can’t get pregnant because of a psychological disturbance from all the stress ” Syrians are stopped on the street and yelled at because “you took our work” and told to “go back to your country ” Some lose their dignity All are missing their families and the holidays they spent together such that now "We live with sadness and sadness lives with us ” In a city of mosques a mother hears the call for prayer every day and wants to pray but feels a block inside and can pray no longer and then feels bad because she can’t Turkey is trying to get their children into schools but instead many make cartons or textiles and others roam the streets A young mother told us of being held by Daesh with her children on her lap with blood coming from their noses and mouths and the soldier in black yelling "Don’t move even if they die in your lap! " She still sees “the room where the men were and you see the blood and the knives I was sure they will kill our husbands and take us as slaves ” The children even in this city of refuge still cry out: “They are still here! They came to take us!” As we listened to them it was obvious that these are all victims not potential terrorists “We want to live in peace " they told us They are friendly with people of all religions: “All of us pray to the same God ” Someday soon these refugees will contribute to their host society but first they need a helping hand Turkey especially and many other countries are welcoming Syrians and the U S should continue to do so as well Yet at the Pentagon under a gold-lettered “VALOR ” President Donald Trump signed an order that banned all Syrians from coming to America while his supporters in their dark suits smiled and applauded
Of course refugees need vetting and already undergo a multiyear screening conducted by the relevant U S governmental agencies prior to acceptance Therefore singling out an entire national or religious group cannot be justified on the basis of national security or any other More than that banning refugees like them is discriminatory cruel cowardly un-American and cannot stand Stevan Weine is a professor of psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago and author of " Testimony after Catastrophe "(Northwestern 2006) 2017 02 02 01 06 S evan We ne rss eeds reep com
Enron whistleblower gives BYU students a blueprint for surviving corporate misconduct
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PROVO Utah — The woman known as the Enron whistleblower gave BYU business students a three-M test to use when they make ethical decisions in the workplace during a campus seminar on Wednesday "If you d be embarrassed to discuss the transaction with a mentor you most respect or admire or you d be embarrassed to have it in the media or you d be embarrassed for your mother to find out you know it s a troublesome transaction " Sherron Watkins said Watkins was one of three women whistleblowers named Time Magazine s persons of the year in 2002 She spoke Wednesday night to 175 students in a lecture hall at BYU s Jesse Knight Building as part of a Wheatley Forum on business ethics Enron was American s seventh-largest public company and controlled 25 percent of the nation s energy before it failed in 2002 Its stock plummeted from $90 a share to 9 cents a share in a matter of months after fraud was uncovered Watkins discovered the fraud when she changed positions at the company typical of how whistleblowers learn of problems within a business She took her concerns to CEO Ken Lay but he ignored the information and attempted to discredit her During a Congressional investigation the documentation she provided Lay became public and she became famous for trying to right the company Watkins compared the Enron disaster both to the Titanic and a drug user "My warnings were really too little too late to save the company " she said
Enron was using the business fraud equivalent of gateway drugs in 1996 Watkins said If it had been discovered then the company could have gone to rehab been slapped on the wrist and recovered By 2000 Enron was like a full-blown meth addict and it was going to die anyway Lay s predecessor Jeff Skilling had steered the company into an iceberg and bailed out Watkins has made six visits to BYU in the past seven years
"I love talking at BYU because I can talk about my faith " said Watkins a Lutheran steadied by the teachings of Hebrews 12:1-3 when TV camera crews surrounded her Texas home "but I can also applaud that ethics is a core part of the curriculum and that you re getting the right toolkit to know what to do to in an ethical challenge
"Don t stay silent Don t be passive My strongest message is to realize that you are likely to face an ethical challenge To stay silent to remain inactive because you don t know what to do means you go along The best thing to do is to speak up find peers that feel the same way and put it in writing Hopefully you ll be taken off the transaction but you ll at least safeguard yourself " She told students to look for businesses with leaders who love their companies products and services Skilling she said only ever talked about Enron s stock price a motivation that can lead to fraud Most whistleblowers face intense pressure Many lose their jobs their marriages their homes and their friends Watkins said God had her back Enron failed quickly and once Congress revealed her role "I was really unfireable " she said One major key was that she hadn t fudged her expense reports as many colleagues had "If you want to take a courageous step you ve got to feel like you don t have skeletons in your closet " she said "In hindsight it was very very important that I did not have anything funny on my expense reports " 2017 02 02 01 06 Tad Wa ch www desere news com
AP News in Brief at 12:04 a m EST
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US puts Iran on notice after missile test won t elaborate WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House issued a cryptic warning Wednesday that the U S will act against Iran unless it stops testing ballistic missiles and supporting Houthi rebels in Yemen but declined to say what retaliatory actions the U S would pursue
Michael Flynn President Donald Trump s national security adviser forcefully denounced Iran s behavior in his first public remarks since Trump took office He accused Iran of threatening U S allies and spreading instability throughout the Middle East while faulting the Obama administration for doing too little to stop the Islamic Republic "As of today we are officially putting Iran on notice " Flynn said from the White House podium On notice for what Flynn didn t say Senior Trump administration officials said they were actively considering a "range of options" including economic measures and increased support for Iran s regional adversaries The officials who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity declined repeatedly to say whether military action was being considered Later Wednesday Trump tweeted: "Iran is rapidly taking over more and more of Iraq even after the U S has squandered three trillion dollars there Obvious long ago! " ___ Trump to Senate: Scrap rules if needed to confirm Gorsuch
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump urged the Senate s Republican leader on Wednesday to resort to the "nuclear option" of scrapping longstanding chamber rules if needed to confirm Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch an aggressive opening to what s shaping up as a ferocious clash over the future of the high court At the White House a day after nominating Gorsuch Trump endorsed a scenario that would involve majority Republicans unilaterally changing Senate rules over the objections of the Democratic minority It could come into play if Democrats try to block Gorsuch s confirmation with a filibuster as the liberal base is demanding and would allow the GOP to confirm Gorsuch with a simple majority instead of the 60 votes now needed Addressing GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell from the White House Trump said "If we end up with that gridlock I would say If you can Mitch go nuclear " He said of Gorsuch that it "would be a absolute shame if a man of this quality was caught up in the web " Trump made his comments as Gorsuch traversed Capitol Hill escorted by Vice President Mike Pence and winning extravagant praise from Republican senators ___ Little heard in public Bannon is quiet power in Oval Office WASHINGTON (AP) — People are beginning to pay more attention to the man behind the curtain It is a mark of Steve Bannon s extraordinary sway in the Trump White House that a man who has spoken so little in public over the past two weeks is getting so much credit — and blame — for what s going on
The conservative media executive s fingerprints are on virtually every significant move taken by President Donald Trump from Trump s sweeping order to suspend the country s refugee program and block visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries to the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court Trump raised eyebrows and hackles when he gave Bannon a seat on the powerful National Security Council Principals Committee Bannon a shaggy-haired agitator-turned-insider eager to make a lasting mark on Washington was a strong advocate for Gorsuch according to a person who spoke with him recently That person spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss a private conversation Bannon s early moves to consolidate power haven t come without pushback ___ Violent protesters block Berkley talk by Breitbart editor BERKELEY Calif (AP) — Protesters hurled smoke bombs broke windows and started a bonfire prompting University of California at Berkeley officials to cancel a talk Wednesday by a polarizing editor of Breitbart News out of safety concerns The decision was made two hours before the appearance of Milo Yiannopoulos (yuh-NAH -poh-lihs) because a crowd of more than 1 500 had gathered outside the venue the university said in a statement "Of paramount importance this evening was the campus s commitment to ensure the safety and security of those attending the event the speaker those who came to engage in lawful protest as well as members of the public and the Berkeley campus community " it said UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulos said there are no immediate reports of arrests or serious injuries The 32-year-old right-wing provocateur is a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump and a self-proclaimed internet troll whose comments have been criticized as racist misogynist anti-Muslim and white supremacist He was banned from Twitter after leading a harassment campaign against "Ghostbusters" actress Leslie Jones ___ 10 Things to Know for Thursday Your daily look at late-breaking news upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Thursday: 1 TRUMP TO SENATE: SCRAP RULES IF NEEDED TO CONFIRM GORSUCH It s an aggressive opening to what s shaping up as a ferocious clash over the future of the Supreme Court 2 SENATOR TAKING HEAT FROM BOTH RIGHT LEFT Leading Democrat Chuck Schumer has been ridiculed by Trump — but also faces complaints he s not fighting hard enough against the president ___ GOP pushes 2 top Cabinet picks through to full Senate WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans jammed two of President Donald Trump s top Cabinet picks through the Senate Finance Committee with no Democrats in the room Wednesday after suspending a rule that would have otherwise barred them from taking the vote The tactic seemed a warning shot that they might deploy brute political muscle in the upcoming fight over the Supreme Court vacancy With a near-toxic vapor of divisiveness between the two parties across Capitol Hill nasty showdowns broke out elsewhere as well One Senate panel signed off on Trump s choice for attorney general only after senators exchanged heated words and another committee postponed a vote on the would-be chief of the Environmental Protection Agency after Democrats refused to show up Busting through a Democratic boycott of the Finance panel all 14 Republicans took advantage of Democrats absence to temporarily disable a committee rule requiring at least one Democrat to be present for votes They then used two 14-0 roll calls to approve financier Steve Mnuchin for Treasury secretary and Rep Tom Price R-Ga to be health secretary ignoring Democrats demands that the two nominees provide more information about their financial backgrounds All the nominations will need full Senate approval ___ Sen Schumer battered by both the right and left in new role NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of angry liberals packed the icy sidewalk outside Democratic Sen Chuck Schumer s Brooklyn apartment They mocked him with signs like "Grow a spine Chuck! " and "Chuck s a chicken " And they chanted "Filibuster everything! " Such is the bind Schumer finds himself in as he emerges as the leader of the anti-Trump resistance on Capitol Hill The Senate minority leader is not only ridiculed and insulted by President Donald Trump but is also under fire from many of his own constituents who complain that he is not fighting hard enough against the president "He has to champion the resistance or he has to get out of the way! " shouted 39-year-old Hae-Lin Choi one of the leaders of the protest Tuesday night The fourth-term senator has irked many New Yorkers by supporting three of the president s early Cabinet selections Schumer has since vowed to oppose at least eight of Trump s Cabinet picks including would-be Attorney General Jeff Sessions ___ Australian PM Trump offer mixed messages on refugee deal
CANBERRA Australia (AP) — Australia s prime minister insisted Thursday that a deal struck with the Obama administration that would allow mostly Muslim refugees rejected by Australia to be resettled in the United States was still on despite President Donald Trump dubbing the agreement "dumb" and vowing to review it The conflicting messages came hours after The Washington Post published a story detailing a tense exchange between Trump and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during their first telephone call as national leaders The newspaper reported that during the call an angry Trump dubbed the agreement "the worst deal ever" and accused Turnbull of seeking to export the "next Boston bombers" — a reference to Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev U S citizens born in Kyrgyzstan who set off two bombs at the 2013 Boston marathon Turnbull declined to comment on the report which also said Trump abruptly ended the expected hour-long conversation after 25 minutes as the Australian attempted to steer the conversation to other topics "It s better that these things — these conversations — are conducted candidly frankly privately " Turnbull told reporters Later however he denied during an interview with Sky News that Trump had hung up on him saying the conversation had ended "courteously " ___ AP PHOTOS: Peru highlands revel in blast of festival color PUNO Peru (AP) — Peruvian dancers in colorful masks and elaborate headdresses are celebrating the Virgin of Candelaria in what s considered the largest Roman Catholic festival in the Andes As many as 40 000 villagers are expected to gather for this year s festival and show their respect for the patron saint of the communities along the shores of Lake Titicaca The festivities start Thursday Competing groups dance under the intense sun in lovingly crafted costumes Some wear shoes made with alpaca skin collars hung with ears of corn and hats adorned with old coins or the bright-colored feathers of Amazonian birds "We have danced this way since the time of our grandparents " said 75 year-old Martin Mamani who made the trek from the village of Esmeralda Some dances gesture toward everyday village activities such as grazing llamas or shearing animals Others depict the Spanish conquest or the conscription of villagers as soldiers ___ Hostage-takers at Delaware prison cite treatment Trump SMYRNA Del (AP) — Inmates at a Delaware prison took four corrections department workers hostage Wednesday a move the inmates told a local newspaper was due to concerns about their treatment and the leadership of the United States The hostage situation drew dozens of officers and law enforcement vehicles to the James T Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna and prompted a statewide lockdown of all prisons One hostage was released Wednesday afternoon and another was released hours later leaving authorities negotiating into the evening for the last two being held A preliminary investigation suggests the disturbance began about 10:30 a m when a correctional officer inside Building C which houses over 100 inmates radioed for immediate assistance Delaware State Police spokesman Sgt Richard Bratz said Other officers responded to help and the employees were taken hostage he said Bratz initially said five employees were taken hostage but authorities at a later news conference said the number had been revised to four after one person thought to be among the hostages was found in another part of the prison Robert Coupe secretary of the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security said 27 inmates also had left the building over the course of the evening 2017 02 02 01 05 The Assoc a ed www hera don ne com
Hastings-to-Prescott Wis walking and bike trail opening this summer – Twin Cities
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A new walking and bicycling trail that will link Prescott Wis and Hastings will open this summer a year later than planned The Point Douglas Regional Trail a two-mile route on an abandoned railway bed between Point Douglas Park and U S 61 at the southern tip of Washington County is expected to open in August and draw more than 150 000 users a year Wet weather caused the one-year delay said Wayne Sandberg the county’s deputy director of public works “We had a lot of rain last summer and most of the trail is in the shade under trees so it just didn’t dry out ” Sandberg said “We couldn’t finish it and pave it ” Funding for the design and construction of the trail $780 000 came from the state’s Parks and Trails Fund which receives Legacy amendment sales tax revenue The county also received $1 million from the federal government in a Transportation Enhancement Grant On the east the trail connects with a walkway on the St Croix River bridge that leads to downtown Prescott On the west it will connect with Hastings via a bridge over the BNSF railroad tracks; construction of the bridge will start this spring and be completed by November “By November we’ll connect two states and three counties ” Sandberg said The Minnesota Legislature approved $1 6 million for construction of the bridge in the 2015 bonding bill; another $1 million will come from funds reallocated from the county’s North Shop Renovation Project which came in under budget The trail eventually will link to the Mississippi River Trail and the St Croix Valley Regional Trail — a proposed 10-mile trail that would head north from Point Douglas Park to Carpenter Nature Center St Croix Bluffs Regional Park Afton State Park and downtown Afton “We don’t have a date yet (for the St Croix Valley Regional Trail) ” Sandberg said “That comes up (Washington County) 21 all the way to Stillwater That’s still years out but we’re on it ” Point Douglas Park will be the trailhead for both trails Plans call for the park to eventually undergo a major makeover including a revamped parking lot new restroom facilities and a picnic area Sandberg said 2017 02 02 01 05 Mary D v ne www w nc es com
General Truck Sales wins Dealer of the Year
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MUNCIE Ind – Volvo Trucks has selected General Truck Sales of Muncie as its 2016 Dealer of the Year for North America
The annual North American Dealer of the Year award recognized General Truck Sales and its employees for outstanding performance in key areas including new truck sales market share parts sales customer satisfaction dealer operating standards franchise investment and support for other dealers The Muncie business was also honored as 2016 Dealer of the Year for the U S Central Region “General Truck Sales performed very well in a difficult market in 2016 going above and beyond their organizational goals and consistently delivering outstanding service and support to Volvo Trucks customers ” Jeff Lester senior vice president of sales for Volvo Trucks North America said in a release “We appreciate owner Steve Bassett and the whole General Truck Sales team for their continuous customer focus and commitment to success ” Bassett’s dealership greatly exceeded its sales objectives actively served a diverse group of customers and all technicians at General Truck Sales maintain Volvo Master Technician certification General Truck Sales has been in operation since 1958 and was previously named Volvo Trucks’ North American Dealer of the Year in 2006 and 2010 2017 02 02 01 05 The S ar rss eeds hes arpress com
McCowan named VP for First Merchants subsidiary
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MUNCIE Ind – Sherrie McCowan was recently hired as vice president of private banking for First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors a subsidiary of First Merchants Bank In this role McCowan will provide customized financial solutions for individuals families foundations and businesses according to a release McCowan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in legal administration from Ball State University and has 28 years of banking experience She has having served with several organizations including 100 Men Who Cook and A Better Way 2017 02 02 01 04 The S ar rss eeds hes arpress com
How to handle birthdays after mother's death
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Adapted from an online discussion Hi Carolyn: It’s my birthday today my first since my mom passed away last year I am lucky to have a lot of friends and family so I’ve been getting birthday messages all morning but every time I get one I’m feeling a pang because I know I won’t hear from my mom today I know you’ve lost a parent; do you have any tips as to how to keep appreciating those things and people I do have today? I’m afraid I’m letting the pain outweigh all the good things and I know she wouldn’t want that — Not-So-Happy Birthday Dear Not-So-Happy: Sometimes the pain outweighs the good things It’s OK You don’t have to remain in balance every minute of every day It’s just how feelings go The time to fight the push-pull of it is when you’re having a difficult time keeping your life in reasonable order If today is just a sad-reminder day then be sad And grateful too for your lovely friends and for having had the kind of mother that makes her absence so hard to accept Hi Carolyn: I’m recently married and we’re living with his parents for a few months My mother-in-law worries as a hobby I’m getting used to this but sometimes it takes the form of criticizing her son to me — i e she’s worried we’re going to end up homeless or starving or poor because he procrastinates on job applications or if he works from home he’s going to dawdle and not get anything done etc
When he was first applying for jobs she tried — with an air of girlish cahoots — to enlist me in haranguing him I’ve refused and generally say something mild like “Well I think all people struggle with this ” But it does bother me and this kind of criticism is very demoralizing to my husband What can I do or say that isn’t just trying to tell her how to run her relationship with her son? — Not in Cahoots
Dear Not: There’s always “I’ve found that fretting to him backfires and demoralizes him more than it motivates ” Or just: “I’m not worried ” You can also turn it back as curiosity: “Do you think talking that way helps or would trusting him do more in the long run?” It’s nicer than “Step off Lady ” and it’s your view versus presuming to speak for your husband If she responds along the lines of “He’s my son I think I know what works ” then you smile and say you hope she’s right Otherwise though I suggest not trying to fix this It’s their relationship to navigate as your last line suggests and it’s also a conflict whose circumstances will pass For all your sakes I hope soon Write to Carolyn Hax in care of the Washington Post Style Plus 1150 15th St NW Washington D C 20071 or e-mail tellme@washpost com Or chat with her online at noon Eastern each Friday at www washingtonpost com 2017 02 02 01 04 Caro yn Hax rss eeds reep com
Couple is confused by polyamorous friends
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Dear Amy: My husband and I recently discovered that our closest friends (another couple) are having an open relationship They say they are “polyamorous ”
I am having a very hard time accepting this They didn’t even tell us about it We found out because the husband was hanging all over another woman very publicly at their party My husband found out what was really going on through another longtime friend Our friends say they are both sleeping with this other woman It didn’t look like that though The husband didn’t pay any attention to his wife all night These friends of ours are expecting their first child soon and have asked us to be the godparents I am struggling I know I shouldn’t care what they do But I do care For some dumb reason I feel hurt and sadly disgusted My husband is willing to act like nothing is going on I don’t think I can Should I walk away from a 10-year friendship? I thought I was a better and more accepting person — Confused Friend Because they have declared their marriage to be “open ” you should openly talk to them about it Express your concerns focusing on the impact on your long friendship In this case the wife’s pregnancy might have upended their connection But this unbridled “openness” will make their parenting tougher not easier When you are asked to be a godparent to a child you are being asked to help the parents provide a spiritual backdrop to the child’s life Are you willing to carry on this job of being this child’s loyal and constant adult friend through life? I hope so But this will be a tough choice Dear Amy: I’m a woman who has been dating another woman for about a month now I see this blooming into something more serious Over the phone we were talking about spending the night at her place for the first time when she mentioned that her roommate was one of her ex-girlfriends I felt blindsided I told her why it made me uncomfortable She said she didn’t want me to think it was anything more than a rent situation which I believe to be true Her exes figure prominently in her social life: two of them are in her circle of college friends and she visits another regularly out of state While I don’t think this is a deal-breaker it’s a new situation for me -- my exes and I are on good terms but we don’t hang out I don’t know how to hash out my feelings about this Is my gut waving a red flag? — Upset Dear Upset: Your gut is not waving a red flag If it does see a gastroenterologist immediately However your instincts are kicking in and you should never diminish your own natural reactions Your instincts are informing you about how to proceed There is no downside to having a serious conversation about this You should be inquiring transparent and honest Your girlfriend should be too If she downplays your concerns or says that you are somehow “wrong” to feel the way you feel then this tells you something very important about her Many people maintain no-big-deal friendships with their exes but you obviously don’t The best thing for you to do is to get to know all of these people observe the dynamics and trust your gut to be your guide Dear Amy: “Worried” caught her boyfriend in a number of small lies She should consider that he might even be lying to her that he is single The future with an untrustworthy person is not an easy one — Been There Dear Been There: Once you’ve been lied to building back trust is a very tough lift Send questions via e-mail to askamy@amydickinson com or by mail to Ask Amy Chicago Tribune TT500 435 N Michigan Ave Chicago IL 60611 2017 02 02 01 04 Amy D ck nson rss eeds reep com
Big Gigs: Red Hot Chili Peppers Drive-By Truckers Skynyrd more
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A full list of upcoming shows follows Brian McCollum s highlights below: Lynyrd Skynyrd "Free Bird " "Simple Man " "Sweet Home Alabama" and more classics get a fiery Southern rock workout from Gary Rossington Rickey Medlocke Johnny Van Zant and the rest of the contemporary Skynyrd crew Opening is Nashville country-rocker Ben Gallagher 8 p m Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel 2901 Grand River Detroit 313-237-7711 $40-$60 Red Hot Chili Peppers After a two-week break the Chili Peppers hit the Joe to resume their year-long world-hopping tour in support of "The Getaway " the band s Danger Mouse-produced 11th album This is the group s first Detroit show since a 2013 appearance at Metallica s Orion festival and while the core of the band — Anthony Kiedis Flea and Chad Smith — is well into its 50s reports from the road say to expect a reliably dynamic high-energy show traversing three decades of muscular funk-rock (And brace for the roar when RHCP gets to its new Motor City tribute tune "Detroit ") With Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue 7:30 p m Joe Louis Arena 600 Civic Center Detroit 313-396-7000 $52-$102 The Cadillac Three After bubbling under in recent years with sets at the Downtown Hoedown and Faster Horses fests this Nashville trio makes its Detroit headlining debut bringing burly rock-fueled country in this show with opener Brent Cobb 7 p m St Andrew’s Hall 431 E Congress Detroit 313-961-6358 $18 Drive-By Truckers The Truckers defiant election-year musical declaration "American Band " found a seasoned Southern-rock outfit delivering one of its most accomplished works yet — and landing on an array of best-of lists just as the band has regularly done for 15-plus years You can bank on a career-spanning marathon show from Patterson Hood Michael Cooley and company as they make their first Detroit visit since 2014 8 p m Majestic Theatre 4140 Woodward Detroit 313-833-9700 $25-$30 Talib Kweli It s likely the outspoken rapper won t be short of sociopolitical commentary as he hits the stage with Styles P in this latest performance before their joint album "The Seven " Burgeoning Chicago rapper K valentine will open 8:30 p m St Andrew’s Hall 431 E Congress Detroit 313-961-6358 $25 Thursday Badfish – A Tribute To Sublime: 7 p m St Andrew’s Hall 431 E Congress Detroit 313-961-6358 $15 Benny Golson Quartet: 8 p m Jazz Cafe at Music Hall 350 Madison Detroit 313-887-8500 $35 Five Irish Tenors: 8 p m Flagstar Strand Theatre for the Performing Arts 12 N Saginaw Pontiac 248-221-5128 $45-$75 G Jones: 9:30 p m Magic Stick 4120 Woodward Detroit 313-833-9700 $19 Morgan Alexander: With Matt Sauter 8 p m PJ’s Lager House 1254 Michigan Detroit 313-961-4668 $7 Nessa: 8 p m the Ark 316 S Main Ann Arbor 734-761-1451 $15 Satisfaction (Rolling Stones Tribute): 7:30 p m Callahan’s Music Hall 2105 South Blvd Auburn Hills 248-858-9508 $20-$25 The Scott Gwinnell Jazz Orchestra: 7 p m Cliff Bell’s 2030 Park Detroit 313-961-2543 $10 Sham 69: With Gallows Bound and the Creepshow 8 p m Majestic Cafe 4120 Woodward Detroit 313-833-9700 $15 Friday The Alligators: 8 p m Callahan’s Music Hall 2105 South Blvd Auburn Hills 248-858-9508 $8-$10 Benny Golson Quartet: 8 p m Jazz Cafe at Music Hall 350 Madison Detroit 313-887-8500 $30 Cate Le Bon & Tim Presley: 8 p m El Club Detroit 4114 W Vernor Hwy Detroit $14 Five Irish Tenors: 8 p m Ford Community and Performing Arts Center 15801 Michigan Dearborn 313-943-2354 $29-$40 Illenium: 9:30 p m Magic Stick 4120 Woodward Detroit 313-833-9700 $15 Justin Furstenfeld: 8 p m the Ark 316 S Main Ann Arbor 734-761-1451 $30 Kocain Kushface: 9 p m PJ’s Lager House 1254 Michigan Detroit 313-961-4668 $15 Umphrey’s McGee: 7 p m the Fillmore Detroit 2115 Woodward Detroit 313-961-5450 $22 50-$39 50 Saturday Avery Sunshine & Anthony David: 8 p m Andiamo Celebrity Showroom 7096 E Fourteen Mile Warren 586-268-3200 $25-$60 Bruce Springsteen vs Bob Seger Dueling Tribute Concert: 8 p m McMorran Place Sports & Entertainment Center 701 McMorran Port Huron 877-763-7849 $25 Gary Allan: 9 p m Colosseum at Caesars Windsor 377 Riverside Drive Windsor 800-991-7777 $25 Canadian and up Lemix J Buckley: 7 p m the Loving Touch 22634 Woodward Ferndale 248-546-3696 $10 The Mega 80’s: 8 p m the Magic Bag 22920 Woodward Ferndale 248-544-3030 $12 Red Tail Ring: 7:30 p m Community Congregational Church 125 E Unadilla Pinckney 734-878-3419 $10 The RDF Boys: 8 p m the Ark 316 S Main Ann Arbor 734-761-1451 $11 Scott Hold Band: 8 p m Callahan’s Music Hall 2105 South Blvd Auburn Hills 248-858-9508 $15-$20 Short on Shame: 9 p m PJ’s Lager House 1254 Michigan Detroit 313-961-4668 $5 Umphrey’s McGee: 7 p m the Fillmore Detroit 2115 Woodward Detroit 313-961-5450 $22 50-$39 50 Sunday Harmonica Shah and Howard Glazer: 6-10 p m Cliff Bell’s 2030 Park Detroit 313-961-2543 Free Jarrod Champion: 11 a m -2 p m Cliff Bell’s 2030 Park Detroit 313-961-2543 Free Moon Tooth + Astronoid: 8 p m El Club Detroit 4114 W Vernor Hwy Detroit $10 Monday Albert Lee: 8 p m the Ark 316 S Main Ann Arbor 734-761-1451 $25 Tuesday Cloud Nothings: 8 p m El Club Detroit 4114 W Vernor Hwy Detroit $16 Gang of Thieves: 8 p m PJ’s Lager House 1254 Michigan Detroit 313-961-4668 $10 The Marcus Elliot Quartet: 8 p m Cliff Bell’s 2030 Park Detroit 313-961-2543 Free Wednesday Jacob Schwandt Trio: 8 p m Cliff Bell’s 2030 Park Detroit 313-961-2543 Free Lemuria: 8 p m El Club Detroit 4114 W Vernor Hwy Detroit $13 Timothy Monger: 8 p m the Ark 316 S Main Ann Arbor 734-761-1451 $15 — Compiled by Brendel Hightower 2017 02 02 01 03 Br an McCo um rss eeds reep com
Random Acts of Kindness: Baby's innocence shows what Christmas is all about
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What Christmas is all about
Several weeks past I had the pleasure of experiencing a random act of kindness from an unlikely source a child My wife and I were in church Seated next to us was a young couple with two small children a three-year-old toddler and a year-old baby The thoughtful parents had brought along several small plastic figurines to keep the little ones occupied The mother was next to me with the baby on her lap
While reciting the Lord’s Prayer I had my eyes closed and hands extended up to God I felt something in my left hand When I looked down I saw a bright pink figurine in my hand I looked at the baby She gave me a smile that only a baby can give and my heart melted She reached up and took the figurine back and then giggled as she put it back in my hand She did this several times As I looked at her beaming smile and innocence all I could think was “Kid you made my Christmas ” Whenever I got a little cranky over the holidays from stress and preparation I would think of that smile and realize exactly what Christmas is all about — the innocence and beauty of a child Over her limit but not for long
I was at Giant Eagle on the South Side on a Monday in December There was a woman behind me in line that only had a couple items I asked her if she wanted to go ahead of me She said thank you but no because she was waiting for her daughter to get back in line with lunch meat and didn’t want to hold up the line I started having my items rung up My funds were limited this shopping trip and I was over my limit by $10 so I had to put a couple of items back As I was leaving the checkout I noticed the cashier putting those 2 items in a bag The woman behind me in line had purchased the items for me I was so grateful immediately started tearing up and hugged both her and her daughter I promised them I would pay it forward
The amazing thing I found out while we were standing in line was that she worked at a Giant Eagle store in another location and was at the South Side store because it was less expensive than where she worked Her kindness and generosity overwhelmed me and I pray she and her family are truly blessed! We want to thank our new neighbors Bonnie and Rich We moved into our new house last spring As the moving trucks pulled away a car pulled up with our neighbors We had just been talking about how hungry we were - it was dinner time They stopped and handed us a piping hot pizza napkins and plates included Right then we knew we had moved into the right neighborhood! Christmas spirit at its best On December 19 I was in the CVS drugstore in Ambridge to pick up a prescription Unfortunately I had miscalculated the amount in my checking account and found I was short I told the clerk I would come back in a couple of days to pick it up Meanwhile the clerk had bagged my prescription and handed it to me I thought she hadn’t heard me say I’d have to return for it The pharmacy clerk then told me that the lady behind me had paid for my prescription I never got the lady’s name but I want to thank her from the bottom of my heart That is the Christmas spirit at its best not getting or buying gifts but having someone be so kind Many blessing on you Has someone done you right? Send your Random Act of Kindness to page2@post-gazette com or write to Portfolio Post-Gazette 358 North Shore Drive Suite 300 Pittsburgh PA 15212 2017 02 02 01 03 P sburgh Pos www pos gaze e com
Today in History
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Today is Thursday Feb 2 the 33rd day of 2017 There are 332 days left in the year This is Groundhog Day Today s Highlight in History: On Feb 2 1887 Punxsutawney Pennsylvania held its first Groundhog Day festival On this date: In 1653 New Amsterdam — now New York City — was incorporated In 1848 the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ending the Mexican-American War was signed In 1914 Charles Chaplin made his movie debut as the comedy short "Making a Living" was released by Keystone Film Co The musical "Shameen Dhu " featuring the song "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral " opened on Broadway In 1925 the legendary Alaska Serum Run ended as the last of a series of dog mushers brought a life-saving treatment to Nome the scene of a diphtheria epidemic six days after the drug left Nenana In 1932 Duke Ellington and His Orchestra recorded "It Don t Mean a Thing (If It Ain t Got That Swing)" for Brunswick Records In 1942 a Los Angeles Times column by W H Anderson urged security measures against Japanese-Americans arguing that a Japanese-American "almost inevitably
grows up to be a Japanese not an American "
In 1959 public schools in Arlington and Norfolk Virginia were racially desegregated without incident In 1964 Ranger 6 a lunar probe launched by NASA crashed onto the surface of the moon as planned but failed to send back any TV images In 1971 Idi Amin having seized power in Uganda proclaimed himself president In 1980 NBC News reported the FBI had conducted a sting operation targeting members of Congress using phony Arab businessmen in what became known as "Abscam " a codename protested by Arab-Americans In 1990 in a dramatic concession to South Africa s black majority President F W de Klerk lifted a ban on the African National Congress and promised to free Nelson Mandela In 1992 longtime "Miss America" emcee Bert Parks died in La Jolla (HOY -uh) California at age 77 Ten years ago: Tornadoes killed 21 people in central Florida A grim report from the world s leading climate scientists and government officials said that global warming was so severe it would "continue for centuries" and that humans were to blame Texas Gov Rick Perry issued an order making Texas the first state to require that schoolgirls get vaccinated against HPV a sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer Five years ago: Egyptian security forces clashed with stone-throwing protesters enraged by the failure of police to prevent a soccer riot the night before that killed 74 people Donald Trump announced his endorsement of Republican Mitt Romney for president saying the former Massachusetts governor was "not going to allow bad things to continue to happen to this country we all love "
One year ago: Health officials reported that a person in Texas had become infected with the Zika (ZEE -kuh) virus through sex in the first case of the illness being transmitted within the United States A suicide bomber detonated an explosive aboard a Somali Airbus forcing it to make an emergency landing at Mogadishu s international airport; only the bomber was killed Yahoo announced it was laying off about 1 700 employees Bob Elliott half of the enduring television and radio comedy team Bob and Ray died in Cundy s Harbor Maine at age 92 Today s Birthdays: Gossip columnist Liz Smith is 94 Former French President Valery Giscard d Estaing (val-eh-REE ZHEES -kahr deh-STANG ) is 91 Actor Robert Mandan is 85 Comedian Tom Smothers is 80 Rock singer-guitarist Graham Nash is 75 Television executive Barry Diller is 75 Actor Bo Hopkins is 73 Country singer Howard Bellamy (The Bellamy Brothers) is 71 TV chef Ina (EE -nuh) Garten is 69 Actor Jack McGee is 68 Actor Brent Spiner (SPY -nur) is 68 Rock musician Ross Valory (Journey) is 68 Sen John Cornyn R-Texas is 65 The president of South Korea Park Geun-hye (goon-hay) is 65 Model Christie Brinkley is 63 Actor Michael Talbott is 62 Actress Kim Zimmer is 62 Actor Michael T Weiss is 55 Actor-comedian Adam Ferrara is 51 Rock musician Robert DeLeo (Army of Anyone; Stone Temple Pilots) is 51 Actress Jennifer Westfeldt is 47 Rock musician Ben Mize is 46 Rapper T-Mo is 45 Actress Marissa Jaret Winokur is 44 Actress Lori Beth Denberg is 41 Singer Shakira is 40 Actor Rich Sommer is 39 Country singer Blaine Larsen is 31 Actress Zosia Mamet is 29 Thought for Today: "Absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small it inflames the great " — Bussy-Rabutin French soldier and writer (1618-1693) 2017 02 02 01 03 The Assoc a ed www hera don ne com
AP PHOTOS: Peru highlands revel in blast of festival color
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Peruvian dancers in colorful masks and elaborate headdresses are celebrating the Virgin of Candelaria in what s considered the largest Roman Catholic festival in the Andes As many as 40 000 villagers are expected to gather for this year s festival and show their respect for the patron saint of the communities along the shores of Lake Titicaca The festivities start Thursday Competing groups dance under the intense sun in lovingly crafted costumes Some wear shoes made with alpaca skin collars hung with ears of corn and hats adorned with old coins or the bright-colored feathers of Amazonian birds "We have danced this way since the time of our grandparents " said 75 year-old Martin Mamani who made the trek from the village of Esmeralda Some dances gesture toward everyday village activities such as grazing llamas or shearing animals Others depict the Spanish conquest or the conscription of villagers as soldiers Even young children dance with their families in groups of as many as 400 people including musicians who play flutes and other traditional instruments In addition to devotion villagers have other reasons for dancing on the annual feast Some are grateful to have been cured of disease while others are asking for protection for their crops or increased political power It s a rare moment of national focus on an indigenous-dominated village culture "There s always been a lack of respect for the countryside But when the villagers participate they are saying I am present and the people from the city are only spectators " said anthropologist Henry Flores who has studied indigenous dances in the town of Puno The festival of La Candelaria has been celebrated in Puno every year since the 18th century UNESCO declared the festival a cultural landmark in 2015 2017 02 02 01 03 By FRANKL N www hera don ne com
Super Bowl journey for Patriots WR takes unlikely path
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In the AFC Championship Game the 28-year-old from Wyckoff New Jersey set a Patriots playoff record with 180 receiving yards and he caught two touchdown passes
"It ll be something that definitely I ll remember for the rest of my career and probably for the rest of my life " Hogan said "Someone told me that this was going to be a game that you ll look back on 30 years from now and you ll remember exactly what happened "
What a journey it s been Hogan s path which now has led him to Sunday s Super Bowl is unorthodox Before he reached the NFL Hogan spent four years away from football opting to play college lacrosse at Penn State He later squeezed in a season at a nontraditional football powerhouse before turning pro "It takes a special human being to be able to make that transition " Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater said "Chris is a very gifted athlete He does a lot of things well and can t speak enough to his toughness his physical and mental toughness I think here s a guy who s pretty much willed himself into being a great NFL receiver after having not played a tremendous amount of college football I can t speak to how tough the transition may have been but I would imagine it wasn t an easy one " This week in Houston Hogan said he hopes that he has brought attention to the other sport he loves "College lacrosse can be pretty brutal at times so that definitely helped me with the toughness " Hogan said "It s a fast-paced game so that helped me kind of translate over to the game speed of playing in the NFL I think just the one-on-one aspect of trying to beat the guy in front of you definitely helped me as being a receiver " Brady: I m glad we got him Hogan was a standout player in football and lacrosse at Ramapo High School And while he was recruited by schools in both sports it was the latter he chose to pursue playing as a midfielder on the Penn State lacrosse team
During his sophomore season in 2008 Hogan s season lasted just three games because of injury but there was a silver lining He was granted a redshirt season meaning he would have another year of college eligibility In 2009 his final season he led the Nittany Lions with 29 goals and received first team All-ECAC honors
Hogan graduated from Penn State in 2010 and he wanted to give football another shot He went back to his home state to suit up for Monmouth University and made the most of his one season In 11 games Hogan split time on both sides of the ball He started eight of them at cornerback and tied for the team lead with three interceptions He also caught 12 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns averaging 12 2 yards per reception The next step was trying to make it in the NFL which looked liked a long shot "I didn t really have a plan B " Hogan said "My plan B was work harder and try to make it in the NFL and that s what I want to do I put everything I had into making it in this league and that s why I m here " It was a bumpy road He signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a rookie free agent on July 27 2011 and was released shortly after on September 3 The New York Giants signed him to their practice squad on September 13 2011 but released him 10 days later He landed on the Miami Dolphins practice squad on December 27 2011 and was released September 11 2012 The breakthrough came later that season when the Buffalo Bills signed him to their practice squad in November and then signed him to the 53-man roster that December From 2013 to the end of 2015 Hogan played in every Bills game catching 10 touchdowns The Patriots signed him in March Immediately he made an impact on safety Devin McCourty
"I got to train with him in March and as soon as I started training with him I knew this guy was going to be a great receiver for us he s going to really produce and that s what he s done " McCourty said "He works hard at everything -- running routes in the offseason lifting hard It s been great just to be around him and learn from him and his work ethic is unbelievable so I m extremely happy for him " Brady took notice as well "I obviously followed up because you see a lot of those games and he was a great player for them " Brady said "They can t keep everybody but I m glad we got him " Reaching Super Bowl obviously a long shot Hogan started 14 games for New England during the regular season finishing with 680 receiving yards and four touchdowns He averaged 17 9 yards per reception tied for first in the NFL "He s been incredible " Brady said "I mean to lead the league in average yards per catch is spectacular He s made big plays for us all season he made big plays in the biggest game of the year for us " After the AFC Championship Game CNN s Hines Ward asked Hogan if he had ever thought back in his lacrosse days that one day he would reach a Super Bowl "No it definitely didn t ever cross my mind " Hogan said "But you know once I started this journey this was obviously a long shot a goal that I had in mind When I got here I just kept working hard and taking advantage of everything " 2017 02 02 01 02 J
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Gorsuch Sees Human Life As Inviolable But Without Acknowledging God
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Like Mitt Romney and other politicians seeking support from the GOP’s conservative constituency candidate Donald Trump touted his switch from favoring so-called “abortion rights” President Trump’s nomination of a replacement for Justice Scalia may prove to be an important fact in evidence for the sincerity of Mr Trump’s change of heart Neil Gorsuch authored a book pondering the possible premises for a jurisprudence dealing with assisted suicide As one reviewer describes it : The Future of Assisted Suicide concludes with a call for a “consistent end-of-life ethic ” which would create a proper balance between “the inviolability of life”—meaning no assisted suicide—and the right of patients to refuse unwanted medical interventions which the author supports If patients cannot choose for themselves Gorsuch urges that a high “clear and convincing” evidentiary standard be applied about the best interests of the patient to determine whether treatment be withheld or withdrawn The publisher’s online blurb for the book describes the gist of Gorsuch’s “legal argument against legalization [of assisted suicide and euthanasia]” as “one based on a principle that surprisingly has been overlooked in the debate—the idea that human life is intrinsically valuable and that intentional killing is always wrong ” The idea that human life is inviolable because of its intrinsic worth comes close to the core premise of the pro-life cause The fact that Gorsuch applies this premise to the issue of assisted suicide can be taken as a hopeful sign that he would do the same with respect to nascent human beings But this entirely depends on whether he accepts the fact that the activity of the SCOTUS rises to the level of statesmanship; so that it must take into account the premises of our identity as a people and the liberty (self-government) our Constitution is supposed to serve It is not a good sign that as one Amazon commenter put it Dr Gorsuch’s “analysis is completely rational and secular not relying on any religious argumentation ” In this respect his argumentation departs from the premises of American liberty and government Those premises assert the inviolability of human life in terms of its origin in the being and will of the Creator God America’s Founders understood that human nature substantially depends on determinations informed by God’s will
In a special way those determinations define and distinguish what is human from what is not In order to perpetuate human existence we must respect God’s determinations whether in the form of the material laws that constitute and sustain our bodies; or the moral laws that inform the faculties of conscience and will that constitute and sustain the right choices (i e choices conducive to our good) we make as individuals or communities
Without this reference to the being and will of God what sense does it make to speak of the inviolability of life? Obviously in terms of the laws that govern material nature it makes no sense at all In material terms human beings are mortal and relatively fragile Life can be and is violated all the time in the natural course of things The conclusion that human life is inviolable thus makes sense mainly in terms of human will and intention since both fall within the purview of our faculty for choice But the possibility of choice complicates the meaning of law when it comes to our nature of which choice is a defining characteristic So in relation to us the natural law is as it were an instructor or guide which we are free to disregard in election if not in consequence It is a boundary we apprehend but may transgress It has a force we can go along with or strive to resist
In conjunction with our self-conscious intelligence this allows us to override instinctive impulses in order to imagine produce and make use of devices that increase our power beyond its natural limits People may say that if God had wanted us to fly He would have given us wings But since He made us with the imaginative intelligence to understand and make wing-equivalents for us the bounds of nature can become lines of inquiry instead of demarcation Yet and still the fact that we can imaginatively equip ourselves to fly does not morph us into eagles or vultures However it does imply a way of understanding things that can tempt us to treat other human beings as our prey
This was the prospect Immanuel Kant sought to avoid with his Critique of Pure Reason first published in the same year the United States of America declared their independence 1776 Therein he spoke of the challenge to morality posed by the empirical scientific method: Suppose now that morality necessarily presupposed liberty in the strictest sense as a property of our will; suppose that reason contained certain practical original principles a priori which were absolutely impossible without this presupposition; and suppose at the same time that speculative reason had proved that liberty was incapable of being thought at all It would then follow that the moral presupposition must give way to the speculative affirmation the opposite of which involves an obvious contradiction and that liberty and with it morality must yield to the mechanism of nature; for the negation of morality involves no contradiction except on the presupposition of liberty Kant hoped that his work would clarify the limits of empirical knowledge in order to make room for faith Instead it gave rise to trains of thought including pragmatism and Marxism that practically banished God and morality from human affairs They asserted instead views that exclusively worship power or the results it produces; and which simply exempt human affairs from the superintendence of self-sufficient being which otherwise gives substance to the standard from which human life derives its intrinsic worth
By contrast America’s Founders embraced that standard making it the basis for an experiment in just government that aimed to constrain power within the bounds of right even as it encouraged the exercise of right in which true liberty consists Unlike Immanuel Kant the statesmanship of America’s Founders did not neglect the fact that our human way of being is itself a mirror It reflects upon the experience of God They set out to prove by their choice of God’s standard of right that the vocation of man is to improve upon the mechanism of nature by trusting in God’s benevolent intention for humanity They therefore staked the destiny of the American people upon the consensual exercise of right that God endows In our era that commitment hangs in the balance If Donald Trump’s nominee becomes Mr Justice Gorsuch his respect for the inviolability of human life could shift that balance in favor of the exercise of right But this is likely only if he finds the wisdom to do what Justice Scalia never did: Boldly assert the God-acknowledging practical wisdom of America’s Founders against the pragmatic Marxist and secular “negation of morality” that is presently hurrying our Constitutional republic toward its demise 2017 02 02 01 01 A an Keyes da yca er com
Judge sets March trial for 3 Penn State ex-administrators including former president
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HARRISBURG — Penn State’s former president and two other ex-administrators learned Wednesday they will go to trial next month nearly six years after the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal first became public Judge John Boccabella set jury selection for March 20 in the criminal trial of former university President Graham Spanier former Vice President Gary Schultz and former Athletic Director Tim Curley All three are charged with endangering the welfare of children Judge Boccabella threw out charges of failing to properly report suspected abuse ruling that the statute of limitations had expired But he denied a slew of other defense motions including requests that all charged be thrown out He gave both sides about four weeks to make pretrial filings regarding selection of a jury and what evidence will be allowed The attorney general’s office had sought to add a conspiracy charge related to the child-welfare accusation The judge did not directly address that request but he declined to dismiss that conspiracy charge based on time limits The judge also turned down defense requests to have separate trials to move the trial from Harrisburg or to bring in out-of-county jurors
The three administrators handled a graduate assistant’s report in 2001 claiming he had seen Sandusky then retired sexually abusing a boy inside a team shower late on a Friday evening That matter was not reported directly to police and languished until the case was reopened about eight years ago Mr Schultz and Mr Curley were first arrested in 2011 and Mr Spanier a year later All three have consistently denied the allegations Mr Spanier’s lawyer declined comment while attorneys for Mr Curley and Mr Schultz did not respond to messages seeking comment A spokesman for the attorney general’s office offered no immediate comment
The cases have dragged on for years in part because of a lengthy dispute over how Penn State’s then-general counsel handled grand jury appearances with the three in 2011 and also because the original trial judge Todd Hoover died last year Superior Court threw out many of the most serious charges a year ago including perjury Sandusky Penn State’s longtime assistant football coach was convicted in 2012 of child sexual abuse involving 10 boys He is pursuing appeals while serving a 30- to 60-year sentence at State Correctional Institution — Greene 2017 02 02 01 01 By Mark www pos gaze e com
Brian O'Neill: Local boxers may unlatch the door to Cuba
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Following an opening provided by young boxers’ jabs a delegation of state officials is flying to Cuba this month to see how we might trade Pennsylvania grain for Cuban rum
That’s a gross simplification but it’s the gist of a plan Pittsburghers are flying to Havana on Feb 20 for a rematch of the boxing matches that Cuban and Pennsylvanian amateurs had on the Roberto Clemente Bridge last July which the visitors took 7-4 in a tournament delayed by lightning but watched by millions in Cuba Miguel Fraga first secretary of the Cuban embassy in Washington came to Duquesne University on Wednesday morning to meet local boxers and talk with state legislators about their upcoming trip Cuba has to import 70 to 80 percent of its food Mr Fraga said getting rice from Vietnam and potatoes from Canada But the half-century-old U S embargo prevents American farmers from selling to potential customers just across the Gulf of Mexico Former President Barack Obama who eased relations with Cuba called on Congress to lift the embargo That hasn’t happened but Cuba hopes President Donald Trump continues down this path Mr Fraga passed around copies of a Florida International University poll showing that most Americans and even most Cuban-Americans in Miami support lifting the embargo and easing travel restrictions Mr Trump a businessman surely recognizes this nearby market’s potential And Pennsylvanian ears perked up when Mr Graza mentioned that Cuba has welcomed the governors of seven states in the past two years and has made trade agreements with Alabama States don’t get much more conservative than Alabama “There are hungry people there and we have food ” state Rep Adam Harris R-Juniata County and chair of the House Committee on Liquor Control said after the meeting “It’s not complicated ” State Rep Paul Costa D-Wilkins and minority chair of the committee said there might be creative ways around the embargo even before it’s lifted Pennsylvania farmers might sell corn and wheat to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and the LCB could trade that to Cuba for rum No money need change hands Mr Costa said but the LCB could sell the rum at a profit “This is a perfect opportunity to expand our trade and move our products ” he said Mike Diven point man for these boxing bouts has been touting the potential for Pennsylvania agriculture and pharmaceuticals since he was a Pennsylvania lawmaker when this century dawned A farmer earning another $15 000 by finding a new market Mr Diven said could make “the difference between being in the red and taking their kids and grandkids to Disney World ” There were no naysayers at the conference table The young fighters had trained in Cuba last summer with boxers who flew from the island to win six medals at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro Our boxers gave the Cuban people rave reviews for their friendliness Wade Lipscomb 24 an operations engineer at Range Resources who captains the Pittsburgh boxers (because “I get hit in the face for fun”) said he left behind his Nikes as a gift for a Cuban athlete who’d been nothing but a gracious host On such small gestures walls can crumble The U S remains alone in its embargo In a United Nations vote last October 191 nations condemned it Nobody voted against that measure though the U S and Israel abstained Lisa Valanti of Carrick a tireless advocate of Cuba for decades said “If we’re the showcase democracy of the Western world we ought to be able to travel without asking the government’s permission ” The Canadian press is already predicting Americans will end the golden age of bargain trips to the tropics if we’re all allowed in About a million Canadians visit Cuba every year and there are likely millions more south of Toronto eager to see this island that’s only 90 miles as the pelican flies from Key West Fla State Rep Bill Kortz D-Dravosburg who noted that President Richard Nixon opened relations with communist China more than 40 years ago said our embargo represents “the politics of the past ” That may be but the past has a way of hanging around If the LCB becomes the vehicle for major international reform that would make it the early favorite in the 2017 Irony Awards 2017 02 02 01 00 By Br an www pos gaze e com
Newly widowed mom told to pull daughter from school district
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Katy Biddle said she was up front with the Gateway School District administrators at her daughter’s school from the beginning When her husband died after a long battle with brain cancer in September Ms Biddle gathered her 6-year-old daughter Kamdyn and her 9-month-old twins and moved into her parents’ house in Murrysville She went to the principal at Cleveland Steward Elementary and told him where the family moved and why “It was just too upsetting to be there for (Kamdyn) and myself “ Ms Biddle said about the family’s Monroeville house which she still owns “I’m a widow so I wanted to be closer to my parents ”
She also wanted Kamdyn to finish the year at the school where she made friends and developed a relationship with the school counselor But last week she said district officials told her that won’t be possible because Ms Biddle and her children don’t reside at their Monroeville home anymore The school secretary handed Ms Biddle a letter as she was leaving her daughter’s parent-teacher conference last week “Nobody can understand what’s going on ” she said “Everybody is kind of just shocked that this is happening ” Ms Biddle said even though the principal knew about her situation school district administrators were not aware that she and her daughter had moved She tried speaking to Superintendent William Short about it Friday but he stood by the district’s policy that a child’s residency is based on “where they lay their head at night ” Ms Biddle said Mr Short could not be reached Wednesday for comment Ms Biddle posted about her plight on Facebook and it was brought to the attention of school board member Chad Stubenbort He raised the issue at Tuesday’s board meeting but the board voted 6-2 to stand by the policy “To me it’s not even a policy issue ” Mr Stubenbort said adding that he was surprised by the board’s decision “It’s a humane issue ” Ms Biddle was able to prove that she owned her house and paid taxes in Monroeville Her driver’s license lists that address “She meets the litmus test of what our board policy says as far as defining a resident ” he said Ms Biddle said she was hoping the district would make an exception for only three more months so Kamdyn could finish the school year Next year she would transfer to a new school in Murrysville where Ms Biddle just bought a house five minutes away from her parents “It’s just ridiculous that this is even a conversation ” she said She’s been open with Kamdyn about the issue and said the little girl is “devastated” to be abruptly pulled out of her school She went to class Wednesday to say goodbye to her classmates and Ms Biddle said she’ll leave it up to her if she wants to go back to school Thursday She will start school at Sloan Elementary School in Murrysville on Friday While Ms Biddle said she is grateful for the support she received from the principal and school counselor she’s starting to feel that the abrupt departure is for the best “They do make exceptions I know that for a fact ” Ms Biddle said “Clearly they don’t care for the well-being of my child ” 2017 02 02 01 00 By E zabe h www pos gaze e com
Few see Christianity as very important to be ‘truly American’
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Americans may pledge allegiance to “one nation under God ” but they are divided on whether religion is essential to national identity Nearly one-third of Americans view being a Christian as “very important” for being “truly American ” according to a Pew Research Center report on national identity in more than a dozen countries that was released Wednesday About the same number (31 percent) said it was “not at all important ”
The report surveyed 14 514 people by telephone or face to face in 14 countries between April 4 and May 29 2016 on a number of factors that could shape national identity: birthplace language national customs and traditions and religion The survey was conducted against the backdrop of the United Kingdom’s Brexit vote to leave the European Union then-presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign promise to build a wall along the United States’ border with Mexico (since enshrined in an executive order by President Trump) and growing support for populist parties in several European countries Religion ranked last in determining nationality for Americans with 51 percent responding it was at least somewhat important to be a Christian in order to be truly American Pew specifically asked about Christianity as nearly 71 percent of the U S population identified as Christian in 2014 according to the report It followed speaking English (92 percent) sharing American customs and traditions (84 percent) and having been born in the U S (55 percent) according to Pew But some groups saw Christianity as more important than others White evangelical Protestants were most likely (57 percent) to view Christianity as very important to American identity followed by all those who said religion was very important personally (51 percent) There were also divides by age gender and notably political affiliations More than 4 in 10 Republicans (43 percent) said Christianity is a very important part of being American compared with 29 percent of Democrats and 26 percent of independents
Among the 13 countries Pew asked whether Christianity or Catholicism was important to nationality (based on the most popular expression of religion in each country) a median 15 percent said it was very important to be a “true national ” according to the report That connection with religion was strongest in Greece (54 percent) and weakest in Sweden (7 percent) The margin of error in Pew surveys varies by country but is 3 4 percentage points in the United States according to Pew Researchers surveyed 1 003 Americans by phone 2017 02 02 01 00 Em y McFar an www desere news com
Gina Lopez names 21 mining firms facing closure
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Environment Secretary Gina Lopez on Thursday said 21 mines are facing closure mainly for ruining bodies of water because of “indiscriminate mining ” The firms are: Lopez also suspended Oceanagold Lepanto Citinickel (Narra) Berong Nickel Ore Asia in Bulacan 2017 02 02 00 59 Ronne W bus ness nqu rer ne
Toyota a Japanese brand but also a U S manufacturer - company president
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TOKYO Feb 2 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp President Akio Toyoda said on Thursday his company had increased its U S production in the past three decades and that the Japanese brand should also be considered as a U S manufacturer Toyoda s comment comes as global automakers face pressure from U S President Donald Trump who has demanded that more cars sold in the United States be made locally to increase jobs and shrink the U S trade deficit Trump singled out Toyota in a tweet last month criticising the plans by Japan s biggest automaker to build a second plant in Mexico Since then Toyota has announced plans to invest $10 billion in its U S operations to increase production and create more jobs "Things are very different in 2017 than they were in the 1980s Today we produce a large number of cars locally and we have developed a strong local supply chain " Toyoda told reporters at an event in Tokyo referring to America "We may be a Japanese brand but we re also one of America s car makers " The United States is Toyota s biggest market and vehicle sales in the country comprise around one-quarter of the automaker s global sales It operates 10 manufacturing plants in the country and locally produces around 56 percent of its vehicles sold there according to calculations based on company data Trump has focused on protectionist trade policies in his first weeks in office formally withdrawing the United States from the Trans Pacific Partnership trade talks and has said he would renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Toyoda said his company would adapt to any "rule changes" to the NAFTA trade deal between the United States Mexico and Canada Automotive trade will be high on the agenda when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visits Trump in Washington next week Toyoda denied media reports from earlier this week which said he would meet Abe on Friday ahead of the summit saying that while he would like a meeting with the prime minister it was still unclear whether one would take place due to scheduling issues (Reporting by Naomi Tajitsu; Writing by Chris Gallagher; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) 2017 02 02 00 57 Reu ers www da yma co uk
Firefighters battle blaze in vacant building in Downey
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A fire broke out Wednesday in a vacant building on the property of the Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center in Downey forcing crews to battle it from the outside as it went to a second alarm
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire which was reported about 3:10 p m at the one-story building near the intersection of Dahlia Avenue and Consuelo Street on the south side of the rehabilitation center property a Downey Fire Department dispatcher said Firefighters were forced into a defensive mode and poured water on the flames from outside the structure according to the dispatcher Crews from the Downey Vernon Compton Santa Fe Springs and Los Angeles County fire departments responded As of about 6:40 p m knockdown had not been called 2017 02 02 00 54 By C y www press e egram com
Immigration freeze puts universities in bind
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Though she was born and raised here Rass 19 said she feels like a target since her parents are from Syria and she wears a hijab So she always lets people know where she’s going and walks in groups on campus when she can
“As Muslims we are facing discrimination ” said Rass a Bloomfield Hills resident and president of WSU’s Students Organize for Syria “It’s not a very safe place for us here right now especially those traveling I guess I am on edge If these immigrant policies are the first thing (the president) is doing it makes us wonder what else will be done?” As President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week to tighten the nation’s immigration polices many Muslim college students are feeling a heightened sense of Islamaphobia With Metro Detroit being home to the largest concentrations of Arab Americans in the United States most of whom are Muslim local students are alarmed about families and friends hailing from seven Muslim-majority countries where entrance has been suspended for 90 days — indefinitely for Syrians All refugee immigration has been barred for 120 days Trump’s executive order has prompted protests on college campuses across the nation including one Tuesday at Michigan State University Ann Arbor activists this week also asked their leaders to consider making their town home to the University of Michigan a “sanctuary” city where law enforcement limits cooperation with federal immigration officials Meanwhile Wayne State faculty will host a rally at noon Thursday on Gullen Mall to show unity with the Muslim community It comes as students sent a petition to President M Roy Wilson to make WSU a sanctuary campus “Our purpose is to show them that they are not alone ” said Charles Parrish president of the Wayne State chapter of the American Association of University Professors/American Federation of Teachers “We support them and will do whatever we can to stand with them ” University officials across the nation have come out against the policy encouraging students not to travel while they examine how the immigration policies could affect international and undocumented students — as well as research that could be jeopardized with scholars in the Middle East While a few universities across the country had reported some disruptions to collaborative research with scholars in the seven countries MSU UM and Wayne State officials say they were unaware of any interruptions with international researchers They also had no reports of individuals denied re-entry Asked whether recruitment of students and faculty could be affected by such a ban UM declined to discuss the possibility “We are not going to speculate on potential changes ” UM spokeswoman Kim Broekhuizen said MSU spokesman Jason Cody said there would be no changes to any of the university’s policies at this time as result of the ban He thought it was too early to draw any conclusions or make assumptions on whether recruitment of faculty or students would be affected “We will continue to evaluate and admit qualified students who have applied from these countries ” Cody said "The countries included in this ban are not locations where we have actively recruited but we do have students from these countries occasionally attend our presentations ” Many are asking Trump to reconsider the ban and are pointing out potential repercussions “We recognize the importance of a strong visa process to our nation’s security ” Mary Sue Coleman president of the Association of American Universities said in a statement “However the administration’s new order barring the entry or return of individuals from certain countries is already causing damage and should end as quickly as possible The order is stranding students who have been approved to study here and are trying to get back to campus and threatens to disrupt the education and research of many others ” Coleman former UM president added the Trump administration should make clear to the world it welcomes talented individuals from all countries to study teach and carry out research at universities “Other countries have set the goal of surpassing the United States as the global leader in higher education research and innovation ” Coleman said “Allowing them to replace this country as the prime destination for the most talented students and researchers would cause irreparable damage and help them to achieve their goal of global leadership ” International student enrollment topped 1 million for the first time at U S colleges and universities during 2015-16 bringing $36 billion to the economy according to the 2016 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange Of those more than 17 000 are from the seven countries on the president’s executive order Muslim-majority countries — Iraq Iran Syria Somalia Sudan Libya and Yemen; with Iran sending the most 12 269 students
“Beyond the immediate economic impact of students from specific countries who are not able to enter the country there could be a ripple effect of significant unintended economic consequences as students faculty and researchers from other countries decide whether to come to the United States to study teach conduct research and attend conferences ” said Allan Goodman president of the Institute of International Education which produces the Open Doors report It’s unclear how many international students are from the seven countries are at Michigan universities but MSU and UM ranked 11th and 14th in the nation’s top institutions hosting international students enrolling 8 256 and 7 630 international students respectively
Most international students in the U S hail from China and India but a growing number are coming from the Middle East according to the report with Saudi Arabia’s government-sponsored international scholarship program driving it to send 61 287 the third-highest number of students enrolled in the nation’s universities Meanwhile Iran ranked 11th is sending 12 269 students At Wayne State where officials estimate there are 118 students and about a dozen scholars from the seven countries some students are worried the list could expand to include other countries Ramaiz Imran is a Wayne State University sophomore who was born in Pakistan but came to Michigan eight years ago with his parents and older brother A Bloomfield Hills resident Imran and his family all have green cards and expect to become naturalized citizens in weeks In December he and his parents traveled to Turkey and Pakistan His mom stayed in Pakistan to care for her mother who has dementia Ever since the executive order Imran fears Pakistan could get added to the list of restricted countries “It’s pretty terrifying because I don’t know when I would be able to see her again ” Imran said “Three months ago we were all kind of in denial that (Trump) would actually be able to implement policies We thought some other branch of government would intervene and protect American values But he’s implementing the policies he wants and it is a pretty big surprise It’s really disgusting he is going against the core American values we have as a nation ” Meanwhile University of Michigan-Dearborn student Noor Ghali doesn’t expect to see her cousin who lives in Syria in the United States anytime soon Ghali said her cousin had planned to attend Eastern Michigan University but the travel ban has prompted her to start looking elsewhere “She’s devastated ” said Ghali an Ann Arbor resident who was born in the U S “She had these plans to get this great education in the states but now will not have access to that It’s really heartbreaking She is really such a good student She worked so hard ” Still others worry about the future and whether this is just the beginning and changes could be made to other programs established during the Obama administration that allow undocumented residents who came here as children to apply for deferment Among them is Endy Lopez a 21-year-old Pontiac resident who attends Oakland Community College He has lived here since he was 3 years old with his parents who came here from Mexico and siblings who were born here While he has deferment and is close to getting permanent residency he still has concerns for himself and other family members if they were separated “It would be devastating to us if something like that happened ” said Lopez 21 Then there are others who see an even bigger picture and fear the long-term implication of the ban “If the ban is in effect higher institutions will no longer actually hold a higher institutional feel at all ” said Layali Alsadah a Yemeni-American and president of Middle Eastern Student Association at Eastern Michigan University
“These students carry with them culture experience insight and are entering very prestigious fields Part of the college experience is to expose yourself to things one isn’t typically used to How are we to grow as people and in our prospective fields if we are never able to be around elements outside of our norm and/or comfort zones?”
More than 1 million international students are enrolled at colleges and universities in the U S Of those 17 000 hailed from the seven countries in the temporary ban during the 2015-16 school year according to the Institute of International Education The breakdown: 2017 02 02 00 53 K m Koz owsk rss eeds de ro news com
PCSO PNP to set up task force against illegal gambling
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MANILA — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office is now in talks with the Philippine National Police to come up with a comprehensive plan to eliminate illegal gambling in the country PCSO Chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz and other agency officials made this announcement during the launch of the expanded small town lottery at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday (Jan 31)
PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan said the PCSO has been holding workshops and a series of talks with the PNP and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to combat illegal gambling A task force will be created for the campaign against illegal gambling according to Balutan “After our workshop PCSO will tell which areas have illegal gambling or have problems ” said Deputy Director General Ramon Apolinario PNP’s deputy director for operations So far there is no verified list yet of active illegal gamblers nationwide and no unit in PNP that currently looks into illegal gambling according to Apolinario But Apolinario said “If they are not in PCSO’s list (of accredited STL operators) they are illegal ” PCSO Chairman Corpuz asked authorized small town lottery operators during the Jan 31 launch to compel the police to go after illegal gambling operators “Can you tap the services of the PNP? Can you approach the CIDG in your areas of your operation? If the PNP in your areas will not be functioning let us know If they will not act on your complaints we will not include them in the sharing I am consistent We will stop corruption We will stop illegal gambling ” Corpuz urged the PNP anew to help PCSO combat illegal gambling “We include them in our charity funds so they can help against illegal gambling and be part of our charity medical program ” he said PCSO General Manager Balutan said the move to expand STL — the only legal numbers game in the country — has been in response to President Duterte’s marching orders to stamp out illegal gambling “We can’t do this alone but with the help of our partners the Philippine National Police (PNP) the local government units (LGUs) Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) among others plus the people’s support of the Small Town Lottery (STL) and their vigilance ” Balutan said Corpuz said the STL which expanded from 18 areas to 56 would generate revenues from P4 7 billion in 2015 P6 4 billion in 2016 to P27 billion this year More charity funds Balutan said the expanded STL would add revenues to the government and increase funding for the PCSO’s charity services and charity funds for the local government units and the PNP “For the first time we have a clear picture of how much funds we expect to get from small town lottery now that it is legal it is documented and supervised by the government The allocation and utilization of these funds can be traced and properly managed ” he added Corpuz said that from October to December 2016 the PNP and CIDG received P118 million from the 18 STL operators Come 2017 the PNP could receive P692 million from the PCSO through the expanded STL Corpuz said According to the 2016 revised implementing rules and regulations for STL out of the whole earnings of PCSO 30 percent goes to the charity fund — 12 9 percent goes to the PCSO’s charity fund; 3 percent goes to the city and municipality; 0 25 percent goes to the congressional district; 0 75 percent to the provincial government while 2 5 percent goes to the PNP Of the 2 5 percent that goes to PNP 0 4 percent goes to the PNP headquarters 0 4 percent goes to police regional offices 0 6 percent goes to local provincial office 0 6 percent goes to local police stations 0 2 percent goes to the CIDG-National 0 2 percent goes to CIDG-Regional offices while 0 1 percent goes to CIDG provincial offices PNP Deputy Director General Apolinario said the PNP has indeed been benefiting from the PCSO through the charity funds and had received donations like ambulance repair of vehicles and medicines Other funds can be used for operations against crimes such as illegal gambling “The money we receive will be subject to government auditing standards We will submit our expenditures to audit ” he said Breeding ground of corruption Balutan said in the Philippines illegal gambling has been the breeding ground of corruption with illegal gambling operators regularly giving payola to policemen and local off9icials “To all illegal gambling operators your minions and protectors your days are numbered I’m warning you you can run but you cannot hide Go legal or else we will arrest you and file appropriate charges against you ” He described how payola ensured protection for jueteng lords how it filled the pockets of elected officials and government employees allow gambling lords to continue their illegal activities and how it can dictate the turnout of elections
During the press conference the PCSO announced the authorized agent corporations (AAC) that will operate in 56 different areas They include the Diamond Gaming & Research Center Corp in Bulacan Lucky Pick Amusement and Development Amusement Corp in Ilocos Norte; Suncove Corporation in Pampanga; Lake Tahoe Gaming & Amusement Corp in Olongapo City and Ramloid Corporation in Laguna Applications for STL are also extended until Feb 17 to the 43 areas which do not have STL operations yet including the western district of the National Capital Region or Metro Manila Ilocos Sur Palawan and Romblon according to Corpuz SFM/rga 2017 02 02 00 53 Jodee A news n o nqu rer ne
Probation riles victim 85 in Detroit car theft
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An 85-year-old Detroit woman who was forced from a vehicle by a career criminal says she can’t understand why the man who did the crime won’t do any time
Despite Dontonio Jones’ status with the court as a habitual offender Wayne Circuit Judge Shannon Walker sentenced him Tuesday to three years’ probation for the Sept 2 theft of a silver-blue Chevy Tahoe truck at a Citgo gas station on Detroit’s northwest side Jones 21 of Detroit and an accomplice initially were charged with carjacking after they made Mable Coats exit the truck and drove away No weapon was reported to have been used in the crime In November Walker dropped the carjacking charge against Jones who pleaded guilty to unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle a felony punishable by up to five years in prison The judge declined to comment on the matter and it’s unclear why she dropped the carjacking charge against Jones Walker’s sentence is being criticized as too lenient by police and prosecutors; Coats also said she was perplexed by the decision “It doesn’t make any sense to me ” said Coats who has 21 grandchildren 27 great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren “They aren’t saying they arrested the wrong people So if they know who did it how are they not going to jail?”
Before the incident Jones had convictions for home invasion carrying a concealed weapon receiving stolen property and fleeing a police officer He was declared incorrigible by the court as a minor violated probation three times and failed to show up to at least two court hearings
Jones’ 20-year-old accomplice Deonte Russell of Detroit was sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act so the judge’s ruling is not public record Under the act which is available to defendants ages 17-23 Russell’s record will be expunged if he doesn’t violate the terms set by the court Coats’ granddaughter Sonia White-Traylor who owns the Chevy Tahoe that was stolen was inside the gas station when the two men forced Coats out of the vehicle and drove away “You’ve got to be kidding me ” she said when informed of Jones’ sentence “He puts my grandmother through all that
I got my truck stolen lost my purse glasses $400 in cash a $500 deductible — and all he gets is three years’ probation?
“I’m afraid this guy might want to retaliate my truck is easy to spot I’m going to write the judge a letter and ask her: What if this was your sister or your grandmother who got carjacked?” White-Traylor was driving her grandmother to the bank around noon on Sept 2 when she pulled into the Citgo gas station in the 11600 block of Greenfield While White-Traylor was inside the station Coats said she sat in the truck concentrating on a bank slip when she heard someone spouting profanities “My thought was somebody’s playing that nasty music again because every time we stop at the service station that’s all you hear
it’s always nasty language ”
She said she looked up and realized a man was in the truck with her: “He said ‘get the ‘f’ up out of here ‘mf ’ ” Coats said Jones stole her purse forced her out and then the two men drove away Moments after the incident resident Tamara Smith posted a video from the scene on Facebook Live giving a description of the stolen truck and imploring the public to come forward with tips “This is somebody’s grandma ” Smith said on the video “This is an elderly woman You pushed her out of her vehicle and carjacked her You know we need to be outraged in this community This is an elderly woman Who deserves this?” About 15 minutes later officers were investigating an unrelated carjacking at Fenkell and Evergreen when they spotted the stolen Tahoe with Jones and Russell inside The suspects did not pull over as ordered A brief chase ended after the truck slammed into two other vehicles at Hubbell and Plymouth The occupants of the other vehicles including two small children sustained minor injuries police said
“Our officers put their lives on the line to catch these guys and these suspects put citizens’ lives in danger ” Detroit Police Chief James Craig said “To have (Jones) get probation is a slap in the face not only to cops but to the people who want to live in safe neighborhoods ”
Michigan law 750 529 a defines a carjacker as “a person who in the course of committing a larceny of a motor vehicle uses force or violence or the threat of force or violence or who puts in fear any operator passenger or person in lawful possession of the motor vehicle or any person lawfully attempting to recover the motor vehicle ” Had Jones been convicted of carjacking he would have faced up to life in prison During Tuesday’s sentencing hearing Jones’ attorney Robert Plumpe who couldn’t be reached for comment Wendesday asked the judge for leniency according to a video of the hearing posted by WDIV-TV (Channel 4) “He does have a deep attachment to his children ” Plumpe said “He has two children He has good family support he’s in good physical and mental health He’s a United States citizen He’s a very smart individual ” Jones told the judge: “I want to start off apologizing to the victim in this case and I want to utilize it as a learning experience I know that I have to be a better man and a better father to my children ” The judge replied: “All that is true So now the ball is in your corner so what are you going to do?” Then she handed down her sentence Craig called the judge’s ruling “outrageous ” “I can tell you: The officers are getting tired of this and so am I The police take a lot of heat about crime but it’s time to start holding judges’ feet to the fire as well I don’t want to paint all judges with a broad brush but clearly some of them are missing an opportunity to keep our city safe ” Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Maria Miller also expressed disappointment with the sentence “The carjacking of an 85-year-old woman is extremely dangerous conduct ” Miller said in a statement Wednesday “When you consider this along with his prior record we think the sentence should have included a period of incarceration ” Coats who has outlived four of her 11 children said she refuses to get upset “If that’s what the judge did it’s God’s will and there’s nothing I can do about it ” she said “I’m just glad I didn’t get shot (Others) carjacked an 80-something-year-old man around here and they shot him God has a fence around me and I’m all right “Maybe (Jones) will go out and carjack someone else ” she said “Or maybe he’ll turn his life around All I can do is pray for the best ” ghunter@detroitnews com (313) 222-2134 Twitter: @GeorgeHunter_DN A look at Dontonio Jones’ criminal record shows a history of probation violations and other issues: nWhile his juvenile criminal record is not available in 2011 at age 15 a petition to declare him incorrigible was filed after he violated his probation for an undisclosed conviction in juvenile court nIn 2012 the 17-year-old Jones was charged with home invasion and larceny in a building He pleaded guilty to the home invasion and was given two years’ probation He failed to appear at his January 2013 sentencing hearing but three months later was allowed by Wayne Circuit Judge Margaret Van Houten to enter the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act program that would wipe his criminal record clean if he avoided future convictions
nJones violated his probation a second time in 2013 when he was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon He failed to appear at his September 2013 arraignment on information and Van Houten revoked his Holmes Youthful Trainee Act status before extending his probation nIn January 2014 Jones was arrested for receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle and fleeing a police officer Van Houten sentenced him to an undisclosed stint in the Wayne County Jail nAfter Jones was arrested for the September 2016 incident involving 85-year-old Mable Coats he was charged with carjacking although the judge dropped that charge and he pleaded guilty to unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle Source: Third Circuit Court website 2017 02 02 00 52 George Hun er rss eeds de ro news com
‘A Good American’ Review: An Uneven Cyber-security Doc About 9/11
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The issue of national security – and the various means by which the government achieves it – has been at the forefront of President Donald Trump ’s early days in the Oval Office replete with an impending executive order on cyber-security safeguards Thus “A Good American” arrives at a fortuitously timed moment given that it profiles a former NSA official who created a system that supposedly would have prevented the 9/11 attacks were it not for his superiors’ actions While compelling in its explanation of intelligence-gathering procedures Austrian director Friedrich Moser ’s documentary ultimately resorts to making charges it can’t convincingly corroborate Still as a history lesson about the birth of our modern surveillance apparatus it’s an intriguing work that should find a welcome home on VOD The title “A Good American ” exposes Moser’s bias in that he’s completely convinced of the claims made (and noble intentions of) his subject Bill Binney a numbers genius whose analytic government work in the ’60s and ’70s led him to the NSA There he was tasked with looking at mounds of metadata about communications details and relationships and using them to recognize webs of patterns A soft-spoken wheelchair-bound man Binney cogently explains his love of mathematics as “an attempt to structure common sense and consistencies in the universe … Everything is structured and it’s just a matter of finding that structure ” He clearly lays out his military background and motivations in building ThinThread a forward-thinking far-reaching program that could instantly monitor and assess connections between the information of every person on Earth It was in a real sense Big Brother incarnate
If you’ve never heard of ThinThread that’s because then-NSA director William Hayden scrapped it in late 2000 Binney as well as colleagues Kirk Wiebe Ed Loomis Tom Drake and Diane Roark contend that it was shelved in favor of a competing program Trailblazer because Hayden and NSA bigwig Sam Visner had ties to the firm that was developing the latter program and saw it as more personally profitable (despite its ostensible analog-grade inferiority) Moser takes Binney at his word and the competing consideration of ThinThread – that it was dangerous because it collected data on citizens to a privacy-invading extent – is not fully addressed here The lack of such an examination leaves the doc feeling like it’s operating with blinders on
This also diminishes the claim by Binney and others who maintain (thanks to their own subsequent analysis) that ThinThread could have foreseen the events of 9/11 by combing through the data the NSA possessed in early 2001 That’s an explosive bombshell if true “A Good American ” however never ventures outside its small sphere of talking heads (Binney and friends) to verify it That alone makes their assertion seem somewhat dubious And Moser’s many aesthetic devices from ominous music and CGI graphics to dramatic reenactments and archival news footage – which strive to push buttons with a manipulative insistence – only seed the ground for further skepticism If the doc’s ultimate argument is less than wholly persuasive “A Good American” nonetheless paints a fascinating picture of Binney’s mind and the way in which he first envisioned ThinThread as a giant neural network-like globe filled with graphically linked nodes Even when Moser’s computer-generated visualizations of Binney’s theory prove a bit heavy-handed the documentary comes across as a cautionary tale of a man who sought to protect the world with an ingenious creation that could be used for ill as well as good It’s a lot like seeing a film about the Manhattan Project 2017 02 02 00 52 N ck Schager var e y com
Schuette crosses $1M in political fundraising
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Campaign finance reports filed Tuesday show Schuette is the first prospective GOP candidate to cross the million-dollar mark He raised $93 759 between Oct 21 and Dec 31 and has raised $1 08 million for the cycle
Calley reported raising $71 775 for the period and $692 215 for the cycle The Portland Republican held two recent fundraisers in Detroit including an Oct 24 reception at the Westin Book Cadillac where he raised $8 500 His top donor for the period was the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers which gave him $10 000 on Dec 19
Schuette reported raising $8 999 at a Republican Attorneys General Association meeting in Texas on Nov 12 The Midland Republican’s top donor was a political action committee associated with the Warner Norcross & Judd law firm which gifted him $20 000 on Dec 30 Calley and Schuette are both pooling contributions in their candidate committees but could shift the funds to a gubernatorial campaign if they choose to run But her campaign shared with The Detroit News a separate set of positive metrics coming out of her Jan 21 speech at the “Women’s March on Lansing ” which was attended by an estimated 9 000 people
In her keynote address Whitmer asked attendees to sign up for campaign updates by sending a text message to a number she announced Nearly 6 800 people signed up “THAT DAY ” spokeswoman Jen Eyer said in an email and 4 000 people also filled out paper forms to volunteer Peters who also serves on the Armed Services Committee is joining that panel’s subcommittees on Airland which oversees the Army and Air Force the National Guard and military reservists; and on Emerging Threats and Capabilities which oversees research and technology for the military Two professors at the University of Michigan lauded a report released Monday from a conservative economic firm that concluded there’s no evidence of any election fraud in the state But Mebane noted the study’s limitations and Halderman again renewed the call for routine post-election audits of a statistically valid cross section of the state’s paper ballots “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence ” Mebane said adding that AEG’s techniques were “not adequate” because they assumed all of their data was accurate did not look into voter registration data at the precinct level — which could have been altered — and did not assume “the level of sophistication reasonable to suspect of an attacker who wanted to get away with it ” Contributors: Jonathan Oosting Melissa Nann Burke and Michael Gerstein 2017 02 02 00 51 De ro News rss eeds de ro news com
British Columbians less concerned about their finances than last year
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By Emma Crawford Hampel Confidence in the British Columbia provincial economy has grown over the past year according to the results of a survey by BC market research firm and this has translated into residents feeling less concerned about their own finances The poll found 38 per cent of British Columbians have worried about their finances in the past couple months down from 47 per cent last year Overall 61 per cent said economic conditions in B C were “good” or “very good ” This is 15 percentage points higher than last year’s survey (46 per cent) One-in-five respondents (22 per cent) say they believe the province’s economy will decline over the next six months down from two-in-five (41 per cent) last year Fewer B C residents say they worry about their investments “frequently or occasionally” (38 per cent compared with 47 per cent last year) Despite this optimism the vast majority of those polled—81 per cent—said they expect the price of gasoline to increase this year compared with 39 per cent last year “Last year gas prices were not a big worry for British Columbians ” said Insights West’s vice-president of public affairs Mario Canseco “The proportion of British Columbians who expect to pay more for fuel has doubled in a year ” In addition 83 per cent expect to pay more for groceries this year (93 per cent in 2016) 2017 02 02 00 45 Bus ness n www scmp com
Explosives take down I-5 Antlers Bridge near Shasta -- mostly
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Even the pros can have trouble navigating in snow Transportation Security Administration officers kept a lot of dangerous and wacky items off of commercial aircraft in 2016 TSA shares some of them here
Soil soaked beyond its limits became too unstable to hold up a tall redwood next to Highway 101 north of Willits leading to the tree being felled by Willits municipal personnel and Caltrans crews on Friday Jan 13 2017 Two other adjacent redwoods fell earlier tumbling away from the road in Mendocino County Caltrans and California Trucking Assn team up to employ two "pusher" trucks for stalled big rigs A pusher truck is used to move semi-trucks out of traffic or give them the momentum needed to move through the snow after a loss of traction Bystander Kevin Erwin caught the landslide above Highway 299 Monday on video The road will remain closed until about Dec 21 Caltrans said Caltrans Across The Top project on Interstate 80 in Sacramento is nearly done Video on Nov 17 2016 TSA officials demonstrate what parts of Thanksgiving dinner can fly These tips from Sacramento Bee reporter Ryan Lillis provide key tips about what routes to take where to park and what ride-share options you have if you are traveling by car for events at the Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento A tractor-trailer truck has overturned on southbound Highway 99 near Livingston an area of highway that has been the scene of several fatal crashes in recent months bcalix@mercedsunstar com A crash on Highway 99 near Livingston claimed the life of an Atwater woman and her passenger on Wednesday Sept 7 2016 2017 02 02 00 45 www sacbee com
Red Crescent staff injured in ‘hideous’ US coalition strike on Idlib HQ – Turkish IFCR chief — RT News
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The strike happened in the early hours of Wednesday at around 3:00 am (01:00 GMT) and destroyed the building’s upper floors and injured people on the ground level The victims have reportedly been transported to makeshift hospitals in Idlib “At least four staff members of the Syrian Red Crescent (SARC) were injured in the airstrikes one of them is in critical condition ” media activist Abdulqadir Othman told ARA News in Idlib “The bombardment also caused a massive destruction of the organization’s offices ” Othman added The fire that broke out after the strike reportedly further contributed to the destruction of vital medical equipment While the attack has not been yet been confirmed by any of the forces operating in Syria Kinik pinned the blame on the US-led coalition calling the bombardment a war crime “We strongly condemn hideous air attack led by US coalition on #Idlib #RedCrescent HQ It s clear #warcrime and #IHL violation ” Kinik tweeted
A single strike from “what is thought to be a coalition drone” slammed into the building Idlib Civil Defense spokesman Hamid Kutini told Syria Direct The official added that he identified the drone by the sound emitted by the aircraft on its approach to the target area READ MORE: 14 killed in hospital strike in Syria s Aleppo while UN s de Mistura urges to protect ceasefire The SARC center was based in the old building of Carlton Hotel in central Idlib city It provided medical services food and relief aid to civilians of the terrorist-held provincial capital The Syrian Red Crescent has not yet commented Apart from the US coalition both the Russian and Syrian air force continue to conduct aerial operations against terrorists in Idlib province including the al-Qaeda-splinter group of Fateh al-Sham 2017 02 02 00 44 www r com
Trumpolicy: Day 13
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ACTION PRESIDENT TRUMP TOOK TODAY EXECUTIVE ACTIONS -- None today WHAT ELSE IS NEW ON DAY 13 OBAMACARE Republicans voted to suspend committee rules allowing them to advance Tom Price s nomination for Health and Human Services secretary without a Democrat present at the hastily-called hearing The vote now heads to the full Senate Insurers warned a congressional subcommittee Wednesday morning that Congress needs to continue Obamacare s cost-sharing subsidies and provide clarity on premium subsidies in the "next 30 days" so insurers can make a decision on 2018 Sen Orrin Hatch said he wants Obamacare taxes fully repealed rather than leave some of them in place to fund a replacement Sen Lamar Alexander continues to say replacement will be a slow process Rep Greg Walden also talked about a "fix" or "repair " rather than replacement TAXES -- In that same speech Hatch toed the line on the border adjustment tax being considered in the House Hatch didn t say he s against it but did warn that he may not be able to get it through the Senate IMMIGRATION Trump tweeted on the travel ban this morning saying "call it what you want " Apple is a considering legal action over the ban The travel ban hit home hard in Dearborn Michigan where the Arab population is 30% And Ford s CEO was the only US auto leader to speak out Nearly 1 000 Yemeni bodega owners in New York City are planning to shut down for eight hours on Thursday in protest of Trump s travel ban Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe claims the commonwealth already lost two deals with overseas companies looking to relocate due to the travel ban "They didn t lose interest They re scared " McAuliffe said TRADE/ENERGY/INFRASTRUCTURE -- Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told fellow lawmakers Wednesday that his February 10 meeting with Trump should be about more than trade INFRASTRUCTURE -- The Washington Post wraps Wednesday s House Transportation Committee hearing noting that FedEx s CEO expressed support for increasing the gas tax and that committee chair Rep Bill Shuster said he thinks a tax reform bill has to happen before an infrastructure bill ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY The Wall Street Journal reports on Saudi Arabia s oil minister praising Trump s fossil fuel friendly policies Ten Democratic senators boycotted -- and in turn delayed -- the vote for Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt as head of the Environmental Protection Agency LOOKING AHEAD THURSDAY -- OBAMACARE -- House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee holds a hearing on pre-existing condition coverage and other reform ideas Also Medicare Advantage payment rates and policies for 2018 are released THURSDAY -- TAX CUTS -- Senate Budget Committee set to vote on Mick Mulvaney s nomination to be OMB director -- he also needs confirmation from Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Sen McCain has repeatedly suggested he could vote no FRIDAY -- TAX CUTS -- House Ways and Means Chair Rep Kevin Brady gives a speech on tax reform to a forum at Georgetown University s law school 2017 02 02 00 42 Brooke Brower rss cnn com
Rubin: TV’s Bill Proctor still looking for answers
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One of his success stories hit the news early this week and then Lamarr Monson hit the streets Wednesday evening — free pending a retrial after serving 20 years for a murder Proctor is certain he did not commit That makes Proctor 68 a target for a few questions himself And after three decades with a microphone in his hand at WXYZ he struggles for answers when the focus is on him “I don’t know where it comes from ” he says — the push to become a licensed private investigator the drive to right wrongs the willingness to spend his alleged retirement immersed in old legal documents and frustrating battles with bureaucrats But he does offer this: “I’ve never played golf ” Aha A clue And here’s another: “Part of the excitement of being a reporter is discovering wrongdoing ” And one more: “We all should be upset to learn that somebody’s liberty has been stolen by the government we are supposed to support and respect ” Proctor it should be noted once worked in law enforcement guarding federal buildings in Washington D C as an officer with the Federal Protective Service Helmet on head and baton in hand he would fend off college kids protesting the Vietnam War then probably sit with some of them as he took night school classes at the University of Maryland He’s not anti-cop He’s anti-sloppiness anti-indifference and anti-injustice — and thrilled beyond measure for Lamarr Monson Life does not always hand you perfect protagonists Monson 44 was selling crack out of a ratty Detroit apartment building when his quasi-girlfriend Christina Brown was murdered in 1996 He was 23 and though she was tall and told everyone in the building she was 17 she was actually a 12-year-old runaway It’s a bloody seamy and convoluted tale Bottom line after a 24-hour interrogation Monson signed a typewritten confession that according to the University of Michigan Innocence Clinic he never read The confession did not mention the actual murder weapon a toilet-tank lid marked with a bloody thumbprint The lid was not introduced as evidence during the trial that brought him a 30-50 year sentence and it took nearly two decades before the print was tied to a man named Robert Lewis Lewis had been fingered after the fact by his addict girlfriend of the time Shellena Bentley Unable to interest the police in her account Bentley called Proctor It was March of 2013 60 days before his retirement She laid out the story and then added one more thing: You covered it He did not immediately remember There were too many other murders for this one to rate a special Post-it Note in his brain but he was intrigued By 2013 Proctor had already established a nonprofit called Proving Innocence He also has a detective agency Bill Proctor & Associates that’s largely devoted to innocence cases His satellite headquarters is his Bloomfield Hills dining room where a whiteboard hangs on the wall across from a shelf that holds family photos and his Emmy Award “The criminal justice system unfortunately is applied by people ” he says The voice is softer than the one he used on the air but every bit as deep and inviting Sometimes he says those people make honest mistakes Sometimes they make dishonest ones or take shortcuts
The trigger for him was a series he reported about a lifer now known by the Buddhist name Temujin Kensu Witnesses place Kensu in the Upper Peninsula on the night of a 1986 killing in Port Huron and he was granted a new trial in 2010 — but that decision was overturned on appeal Proctor sees it as a failure and it stings
For the Monson case he made three trips to Johnstown Pennsylvania in search of Lewis and managed to speak to him once by phone It was Proctor who brought Bentley to the Innocence Clinic where director David Moran calls him “exceptionally good at getting results ” The stakes are higher now Proctor says and he’s licensed to carry a gun but in a sense he’s just searching for honest answers the same way he used to Then his phone rings loudly well into the evening The conversation is brief He asks the caller to try again in the morning Presumably justice has already been delayed He’s tired now It can wait a few more hours 2017 02 02 00 42 Nea Rub n rss eeds de ro news com
Japanese court rules against paedophile in 'right to be forgotten' online case
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The campaign to recognise the “right to be forgotten” online has suffered a setback in Japan after the supreme court rejected a man’s demand to have references to his arrest for child prostitution removed from Google search results
The court’s ruling this week comes a year after a district court recognised the plaintiff’s right to have details of his crime expunged online and to rebuild his life “unhindered” by records of his criminal past That ruling was overturned by the Tokyo high court last July This week’s judgement the first of its kind by Japan’s top court contrasts with the legal approach being taken in Europe where the EU’s court of justice recognised the right to be forgotten in 2014 The Japanese plaintiff who has not been named had demanded that Google remove reports posted online more than four years ago detailing his arrest and conviction for breaking child prostitution and pornography laws for which he was fined 500 000 yen ($4 400) The man said that his case appeared whenever his name and address were entered into a Google search The supreme court said however that the public’s right to know outweighed the man’s right to privacy given the serious nature of his crimes “Child prostitution is prohibited by the penal code and is a target of strong social condemnation ” Kyodo news quoted justice Kiyoko Okabe as saying “The deletion (of references to the charges from search engines) can be demanded only when value of privacy protection clearly exceeds freedom of expression of search sites ” Google which is appealing to France’s highest court over an order by the country’s data protection authority to censor its search results worldwide welcomed the decision “We are pleased that the supreme court has unanimously recognised based on existing privacy and defamation laws that any decision to delete information from search results should prioritise the public’s right to information ” Taj Meadows head of policy communications at Google Asia Pacific said in a statement Jiji Press reported that Japanese district courts had received more than 50 petitions seeking the removal of search results in the 12 months up to September 2016 2017 02 02 00 41 Jus n McCurry www heguard an com
Le Pen awaits her chance in roller-coaster French race
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The French presidential election that could propel far-right leader Marine Le Pen to power has sustained a series of jolts -- and one of her main rivals is now fighting to stay in the race Europe s shift to the right the victory of Brexit in Britain and Donald Trump s ability to win over American voters form the backdrop to a contest being watched closely around the world In France itself the context is highly unusual -- Francois Hollande is the first French president since 1958 to renounce a bid for a second term after a trouble-plagued five years in power An already unpredictable contest has taken a new turn with mounting accusations that conservative candidate Francois Fillon had used public funds available to MPs to pay his wife and children hundreds of thousands of euros for "fake jobs" Fillon 62 a deeply Catholic former prime minister who snatched the Republicans nomination by campaigning as a man of integrity was the long-time frontrunner Now embroiled in accusations made by the Canard Enchaine newspaper critics are beginning to wonder aloud if he can carry on A poll Wednesday showed for the first time that Fillon would crash out in the first round of voting on April 23 "I will be a candidate " he insisted Wednesday after he was mobbed by reporters at an ordinarily routine campaign appearance Fillon had earlier told lawmakers of his Republicans party that he was the target of an unprecedented smear campaign "We know where this affair comes from it comes from the government it comes from the left " he said according to those at the closeddoors meeting The main beneficiary of Fillon s woes is centrist Emmanuel Macron the photogenic 39-year-old former investment banker who served as economy minister in Hollande s cabinet -- and irritated some colleagues with his raw ambition Macron is rising fast but his programme remains short on detail It is early days but the survey published Wednesday of 1 053 people by the Elabe group showed Macron would reach the second round and face Le Pen in a runoff - Focus on Le Pen Le Pen however is the main reason that Europe is holding its breath ahead of May s presidential result The 48-year-old has worked hard to try to give her National Front (FN) party a softer image after her father Jean-Marie repeatedly described the Nazi gas chambers as a mere "detail of history" She senses her chance to seize power riding a wave of suspicion of mainstream politics Le Pen wants to pull France out of the EU -- a potentially mortal blow for the ailing bloc -- and her proposals to give French nationals priority over housing for example still raise hackles for many Yet the party is a slicker more media-savvy operation than when her rabble-rousing father reached the presidential runoff in 2002 only to lose to Jacques Chirac But polls currently show she wouldn t win the second-round runoff in May as voters switch to her opponent Le Pen has her own expenses troubles at the European Parliament which is demanding that she repay 300 000 euros ($323 000) - Audacious comeback? While Fillon knocked out former president Nicolas Sarkozy in the conservative primary Benoit Hamon put paid to the hopes of former prime minister Manuel Valls in the leftwing contest A 49-year-old radical leftwinger with an ambitious proposal to pay a universal basic income in a world of dwindling work Hamon will probably need to gather the votes of Communist-backed Jean-Luc Melenchon to stand any chance But for the next few days all eyes will be on Fillon He has admitted to employing his wife Penelope and two of his children during his long career in parliament with Le Canard Enchaine reporting they were paid a combined pretax income of around 900 000 euros ($970 000) But Penelope is accused of having barely worked for her salary which reportedly reached 10 000 euros a month in 2007 leading to a preliminary investigation into possible misuse of public funds Penelope also worked at a literary review owned by a billionaire friend of her husband s where she allegedly earned another 100 000 euros After investigators searched parliament and interviewed Fillon and his wife at length this week cracks are starting to show in the increasingly anxious Republicans party Who could stand in if Fillon is forced out? Several names were on the lips of rightwing lawmakers on Wednesday Some suggested Alain Juppe the 71-year-old political veteran whom Fillon beat in the party s November primary But others hinted that a former president who claimed last year that he would withdraw from political life could make a comeback Is France ready for an audacious new bid by Sarkozy? 2017 02 02 00 40 www d g a ourna com
Escudero chides Bato for playing to the camera
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Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has criticized Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa for cursing and ordering policemen to do pushup for “publicity ” “Maliwanag na pang-camera at pang TV ” Escudero said referring to Dela Rosa hurling invectives at seven policemen and making them do a stationary pushup in front of members of media on Wednesday The seven policemen were allegedly involved in robbery-extortion activities on Koreans in Pampanga in December last year READ: Bato slams cops in extortion of Koreans: You joined PNP to be syndicates? Escudero was asked for his comment during the Kapihan ng Senado on Thursday “Uulitin ko ‘yung ‘I will melt ’ mumurahin papupush up-in pang camera at ang TV lamang yun ” the senador said (Let me repeat: the ‘I will melt ’ the cursing the pushup they were all for the cameras and the TV ) READ: I want to melt in shame—Bato “Bakit wala syang pinag-push up o sinigawan o minura sa Crame? E dun mismo pinatay at nandun mismo yata din sya (noong kinidnap at pinatay yung naunang Koreano) ” he said (Why didn’t he order any pushups or curse anyone in [Camp] Crame? It was there where the killing took place and it seems he was there [when the first Korean was abducted and murdered ]) Escudero was apparently referring to South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo who was allegedly abducted from his Angeles City home by antidrug policemen before he was murdered inside Camp Crame on Oct 18 READ: Kidnapped Korean strangled inside Camp Crame Dela Rosa was not in Camp Crame when Jee was reportedly strangled to death inside the police headquarters The police chief was watching a concert Senator Panfilo Lacson chair of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs has started an investigation on Jee’s abduction and murder CBB/rga 2017 02 02 00 38 Ma a Ager news n o nqu rer ne
ABC7 First Alert Weather Forecast
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Mainly sunny but colder on Thursday Highs in the mid-20s Mainly sunny but colder High: 24 Low: 14Mainly sunny and still cold High: 25 Low: 15Mostly sunny with snow late High: 33 Low: 27Cloudy with light snow early High: 38 Low: 25Sunny and mild High: 39 Low: 32Mainly cloudy with rain showers High: 43 Low: 25Rain changing to snow High: 27 Low: 13 2017 02 02 00 38 abc7ch cago com
Sharks in good spot but need to smell blood
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The NHL season doesn’t begin until after the All-Star break — yeah that means right now — and the Sharks have started theirs in a good place Only the Minnesota Wild have more points in the Western Conference which is softer than Charmin at the moment Only two other teams are legit Stanley Cup contenders — the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks Balls likes Team Teal against either one in a playoff series especially after it dominated the Blackhawks in a 3-1 victory at home on Tuesday night But are they capable of a Stanley Cup championship which should be the goal? Don’t think so
What coach Peter DeBoer’s team has is a Norris Trophy favorite in Brent Burns and experience Those are very good things to have especially in the postseason But there’s also something to be said for depth and young legs and this team lacks both at the moment Micheal Healey is 30 Justin Braun and Marc-Edouard Vlasic will turn 30 soon Burns is 31 Joe Pavelski is 32 Paul Martin is 35 Joel Ward is 36 Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton are 37 That will leave nine core players at 30 or older come playoff time Maybe Joonas Donskoi or Tomas Hertl or Kevin Lebanc or another unexpected source will step up in the postseason But remember the Stanley Cup is for men not boys Until further notice this is a group that depends way too much on Burns and Pavelski two of only four guys who have more than seven goals if you can believe that Oh and the Sharks rank 23rd on the power play and 26th in face-off percentage too General manager Doug Wilson might want to swing from the heels before the March 1 trade deadline He needs to hit a stand-up triple at the very least because this team gets longer in the tooth every day M-V-P! M-V-P! Were would the Sharks be without Burns this season? The East Coast Hockey League probably Burns leads the Sharks in goals assists points plus-minus and shots on goal The bearded wonder ranks second in power-play goals and power-play points He has scored or assisted on a staggering 38 percent of his team’s goals Then again Burns always could put the biscuit in the basket The new improved version has weeded out many of the dumb penalties and mindless mistakes that cluttered his game Burns may not be the best player in the league but Balls dares ya to name a more valuable one right now SUPER BOWL PICK: The Atlanta Falcons are better than some people think while the New England Patriots have a history of close calls in the biggest game of all Expect another close encounter in Super Bowl LI this weekend Here’s why Balls likes the Falcons to cover the three-point spread and the Patriots to win the game: Coach Bill Belichick is difficult to outsmart with one week of preparation let alone two GUILTY AS CHARGED: While the media have tried to make a big deal out of the relationship between Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and commissioner Roger Goodell this week the Delfategate scandal is too one-sided to be called a feud Goodell is paid too many millions to care about what Brady or anyone else thinks of him The bad blood is more about Brady and what he thinks of the commish which is to say not much And to think the 544-day soap opera could have been put to rest faster than Brady ahem lost his cellphone All Cheatin’ Tom had to do was put on his big-boy pants say that he didn’t know underinflated footballs were a big deal and apologize for the mistake Then he would have gotten off with a one-game suspension at most But no Brady and Belicheats were too pompous too full of themselves for that to happen and they wasted too much of our time in the process JUST SAYIN’: Per Bovada only the Cleveland Cavaliers and Warriors have better than 8½-to-1 odds to win it all Kinda says all you need to know about the regular season Let’s have a big shout-out for the Big Hurt Frank Thomas who believes there should be a separate wing for drug users in the Baseball Hall of Fame … But look at what the ex-Athletics slugger achieved in his mid-to-late 30s and we should wonder if he belongs there himself WHERE HAVE YOU GONE … Eric Chavez Bobby Crosby and Jason Giambi? Got an opinion? A gripe? A compliment? A compliment?! Send them to pladd@aol com and who knows you may get your name in the paper before long 2017 02 02 00 37 By www s exam ner com
Thursday at 11: Spying on cheating spouses
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(WXYZ) - When you spouse is cheating they have ways to cover their tracks But now there s new technology that track the unfaithful and catches them in the lie We re looking at how accurate these gadgets are the upper-hand they give you in court and the early telltale signs that the one you love may have something to hide Ameera David has the story Thursday on 7 Action News at 11pm 2017 02 02 00 36 www wxyz com
MPs opinion on Brexit talks bill
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MPs are voting on either to concede a supervision to get negotiations for Brexit underneath way With Labour also subsidy a European Union Bill a Commons is approaching to pass it by a vast majority with a outcome approaching during about 1930 GMT But several Labour MPs are approaching to insurgent by voting opposite it Rachael Maskell and Dawn Butler have usually quit Jeremy Corbyn’s front dais to do so The SNP also opposes a bill that has been debated for dual days If it passes it will bear some-more inspection in a Commons and Lords before flitting into law MPs voted down an SNP amendment directed during scuppering a bill Prime Minister Theresa May says she wants to trigger Article 50 of a Lisbon Treaty enabling negotiations with a EU to get underneath way by 31 March Labour shade sourroundings secretary Rachael Maskell and equalities mouthpiece Dawn Butler announced they were resigning from personality Jeremy Corbyn’s group so that they could opinion opposite a European Union Bill
During a discuss earlier former Chancellor George Osborne pronounced a supervision had selected “not to make a economy a priority in this negotiation they have prioritised immigration control” while a EU’s priority would be to “maintain a firmness of a remaining 27 members of a European Union” He likely a talks with a EU would be bitter and a trade-off between “access and money” Mr Osborne pronounced he had “passionately” campaigned for a Remain opinion in a EU referendum and had sacrificed his position in supervision for a cause But he pronounced for Parliament not to concede Article 50 of a Lisbon Treaty to be invoked would “alienate people who already feel alienated” and could means a “deep inherent crisis” Before that MPs were told that European Commission chiefs devise to ask a UK to compensate adult to 60bn euros for a subdivision from a EU Sir Ivan Rogers a UK’s former envoy to a EU told a Commons cabinet that a commission’s arch negotiator Michel Barnier and other pivotal sum were “openly” observant a UK’s sum financial liabilities would be in a sequence of 40 to 60bn euros He pronounced a “unreasonable” figure represented a “predictably tough line” In other Brexit news Prime Minister Theresa May reliable a White Paper environment out her Brexit plan would be published on Thursday The central document that will embody a enterprise to secure a standing of EU nationals in a UK and Britons abroad is apart to a Brexit check being debated by MPs Mr Corbyn faces a rebellion by a array of his MPs including several frontbenchers while a SNP and Liberal Democrats are also earnest to conflict ministers The Labour personality has imposed a three-line whip – a strongest probable permit – on his MPs to behind a bill that is usually dual lines long If a opinion goes a government’s way a check will lapse to a Commons subsequent week for a cabinet stage when antithesis parties will try to pull by a array of amendments The check was published final week after a Supreme Court motionless MPs and peers contingency have a contend before Article 50 could be triggered It deserted a government’s evidence that Mrs May had sufficient powers to trigger Brexit but consulting Parliament 2017 02 02 00 36 adm n head nenews oday ne
Pearl Cooper of Chicago celebrates 104th birthday
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Pearl Cooper is full of life and abundant joy perhaps the reason for her longevity She turned 104 years old Wednesday and her family threw her a party at her Far West Side home to celebrate Pearl has lived in Chicago for more than half of her life She was born in Mississippi in 1913 and picked cotton as a child She moved to Chicago in the 1960s as part of the Great Migration when hundreds of thousands of African Americans moved north to pursue better lives "She loved to cook and clean house She stopped cooking maybe about four years now " her daughter Patti Toy said "She s always there when you need her She s very supportive a hard worker family person she s there for the whole family " said her son-in-law John Lofton Pearl has five children who are in their 70s and 80s now She also has close to 100 grand great-grand and great-great-grandchildren Some of them helped her celebrate this big day with lots of love and song Pearl said her secret is hard work good food and the love of family It s also in her DNA; her parents lived to be 94 years old 2017 02 02 00 36 Chery Bur on abc7ch cago com
Pep Guardiola says Aguero and Bravo still have role to play at Manchester City
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Pep Guardiola s vision of Manchester City s future may have left Sergio Aguero and Claudio Bravo wondering how they will return to the starting XI Error-prone keeper Bravo was surprisingly dropped by Guardiola in favour of Willy Caballero for Wednesday night s trip to West Ham And striker Aguero also started on the bench as teenage Brazilian Gabriel Jesus inspired City to a thumping 4-0 win "Today Caballero was the first choice " said Guardiola "I will sleep well and decide in the future "Was it a difficult decision? Yes it was difficult "But three or four guys stayed in Manchester that was difficult I have 23 guys who deserve to play "Sergio remains an important player for us I make decisions with my staff depending on performances in the past "I m a guy who likes to involve as many players as possible In this crazy calendar it s impossible to play with the same guys I try to be fair with my decisions " The City boss was certainly vindicated as £27million new-boy Jesus gave West Ham the runaround on his full Premier League debut The 19-year-old forming part a youthful three-pronged attack with Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling set up Kevin De Bruyne s opener after a mistake by Aaron Cresswell David Silva tapped in the second from Sane s cross and Jesus grabbed the goal his display deserved before half-time after being teed up by Sterling "He s 19 but he s already a striker for Brazil " added Guardiola "He attacks the goal he wants to score It s like a water melon You have to open it and see The prospect was good a young player with good talent "These guys are the future of the club In Europe no one has strikers as young as Manchester City " Yaya Toure wrapped up the victory with a second-half penalty after Jose Fonte enduring a miserable West Ham debut tripped Sterling in the area Hammers manager Slaven Bilic was left with a familiar feeling having seen his side beaten 5-0 by the same opposition in the FA Cup just over three weeks earlier "It s not the first heavy defeat we have bounced back before and we have to do it again " he said "We have an opportunity to do that against Southampton in three days time " 2017 02 02 00 36 Press Assoc a on www ndependen e
Jose Mourinho suggests he is treated differently to Klopp and Wenger
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Jose Mourinho cut short interviews and suggested he was treated less favourably than Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger after Manchester United were held by Hull The United boss got increasingly agitated on the touchline as his side failed to break down the Premier League strugglers at Old Trafford on Wednesday and had to settle for a goalless draw Mourinho was angered by a number of decisions as well as what he appeared to perceive as time-wasting by Hull He would not highlight particular incidents after the game but instead turned on the officials with what appeared to be veiled references to incidents involving rival bosses Klopp and Wenger The previous night Liverpool manager Klopp shouted at a fourth official at close quarters while Arsenal boss Wenger was recently hit with a four-game touchline ban for pushing an official Wenger s ban was two games fewer than the one handed to Mourinho s assistant Rui Faria in 2014 for using insulting and/or abusive words towards the fourth official and improper conduct Asked what infuriated him so much Mourinho told the BBC: "Well if you don t know football you shouldn t be with the microphone in your hand " At this point he walked away from the interview but he did elaborate further in his press conference Mourinho who has served two touchline bans this season and a stadium ban last term told reporters: "Don t ask me questions that I cannot answer You know clearly that I am different The rules for me are different "I am different in everything I watch my team play in a hotel I was forbidden to go to the stadium my assistant (Faria) had a six-match stadium ban and he didn t touch anyone "Yesterday one fourth official told to a manager I enjoy very much your passion so do what you want to do "Today I was told Sit down or I have to send you to the stands So everything is different for me " He left the media room having answered just three questions Mourinho s abrupt interviews took attention away from what had been a lacklustre display by United and a result which prevented them making significant ground on the top five On the game Mourinho said: "Of course I m not happy with the result I won t criticise the opponents because they are fighting for their lives Every point for them is golden they have to fight with everything they have "They tried to see what they were allowed to do The referee gave the feedback and then they were comfortable doing what they did for 90 minutes " United s frustrations were in part down to a superb defensive display from Hull for whom goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic was outstanding The Tigers who climbed off the bottom might even have snatched victory when Lazar Markovic hit the post late on Manager Marco Silva said: "Our team showed big character in some moments and big personality in the game which is important for me " 2017 02 02 00 36 Press Assoc a on www ndependen e
Adoption agency's bankruptcy leaves couples heartbroken broke
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ATLANTA -- Hundreds of potential adoptive parents are heartbroken and some literally broke after their adoption agency closed its door without any warning California-based Independent Adoption Center Inc is telling its clients it intends for file bankruptcy Now the families want to know: What happened to their money? 11Alive’s Valerie Hoff spoke with families who said they’ve given the adoption center between $10 000 $20 000 so far and said there are some 500 families waiting to adopt That adds up to potentially $5 million or more The families said the agency took their money and killed their dreams “We tried to start a family since we got married ” Jessica Fraser said “We’ve been married nine years ” Jessica and husband Clay have their baby’s nursery almost finished but they don’t have a baby
Independent Adoption Center notified them by email Tuesday it was closing down and planned to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy Jessica and Clay have already paid the agency nearly $20 000 in fees and spent more money on brochures and websites aimed at persuading a birth mother somewhere to choose them “I think we were shocked - definitely sad angry - at the lack of communication and that our funds were mismanaged ” Jessica said Eric and Christopher Dahlberg are in the same heartbreaking predicament “We’re a wreck I spent last night crying ” Eric said “They didn’t give us any notice nothing nothing to go on ” Christopher added The non-profit agency in California has been operating for 35 years A letter to clients said it was struggling because there are more potential parents who want babies than birth parents willing to offer them for adoption But it doesn’t say where the money went Tax records obtained by 11Alive indicate the executive director was paid more than $154 000 a year in 2013 and 2014 The associate director was paid $110 000 “That’s crazy ” Eric said “For a nonprofit that’s astronomical ” Christopher added For these couples parenthood is still a dream but one they realize that at least for now a dream that may not come true “We’re going to keep trying; that’s all we can do at this point ” Eric said “We’ve invested $40 000 on trying to have a kid ” “Do we find another agency foster or maybe this is our sign and we’re not going to have a family ” Jessica said “Maybe it’s just the two of us ” 11Alive’s calls to the agency in California were not returned and its local office in Tucker has closed We also contacted the California attorney general’s office to see if they are investigating Right now these hopeful parents hope to get some of their money back in bankruptcy court (© 2017 WXIA) 2017 02 02 00 35 Chr s opher Buchanan rss eeds 11a ve com
3 days after surrender Mancao must be set free—lawyer
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Former Senior Superintendent Cesar Mancao should be released immediately three days after he surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP) his lawyer said Thursday Atty Ferdinand Topacio said Mancao is under the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP) and has testified against Senator Panfilo Lacson on his involvement in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case “Therefore under Sec 12 of Republic Act 6981 or the Witness Protection Act the Court must order his discharge as an accused because (of his) admission to the WPP ” said Topacio Under the WPP once admitted he said a witness like Mancao is entitled to immunity from criminal prosecution Mancao was previously detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) but escaped from the facility in 2013 Topacio said he wrote former Justice Secretary and now Senator Leila De Lima as early as 2012 to release Mancao “but for some strange and esoteric reasons she refused to do so ” “This has resulted in an anomalous and unfair situation for Mr Mancao wherein he is the only accused left in the Dacer-Corbito case although he is the star witness for the prosecution ” Topacio noted that Mancao’s co-accused Senior Superintendent Glenn Dumlao who violated his WPP immunity by testifying in favor of the accused has been reinstated and is currently the head of the PNP’s Anti-Kidnapping Group “We call on Sec Vitaliano Aguirre to honor the commitment made by the Philippine Government in favor of Mr Mancao as the same is not only an entitlement of Mr Mancao under the law but the credibility of the WPP is also at stake ” Topacio said RAM/rga 2017 02 02 00 34 Te ch Torres news n o nqu rer ne
Man accused of hitting 3 kids with car killing 1 expected to enter plea deal
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ATLANTA -- The man accused of hitting three young boys on their bikes while allegedly high is expected to plead guilty Thursday Back in April 2016 police said Ryan Lisabeth injected heroin minutes before hitting 9-year-old Isiah Ward his 11-year-old brother Roland Ward and 12-year-old Timothy Hood while the kids were standing and talking on the sidewalk of Joseph E Boone Isiah later died from his injuries while Roland and Hood suffered severe injuries including skull fractures a broken leg and a broken pelvis The 29-year-old who police said was speeding in addition to being high was later charged with three counts of 1st degree homicide by vehicle DUI possession of heroin reckless driving and six counts of serious injury by vehicle and others Documents released shortly after the crash revealed that Lisabeth has a lengthy criminal history -- raising questions about whether he should have been even behind the wheel in the first place Since 2011 Lisabeth had been convicted of DUI three times and had an open DUI case in Fulton County at the time of the incident Under Georgia Law an open DUI case means he likely had a suspended license at the time of the crash Lisabeth is expected to plead guilty in front of a Fulton County judge Thursday at 9:30 a m where he could face 49 years in prison
Ward s family and the District Attorney have called for stiff punishment for Lisabeth because of his history 11Alive s Duffie Dixon spoke with Ward s mother who told her she couldn t comment publicly until after the court hearing But those in the neighborhood who witnessed the deadly wreck didn t mince words of what they hope happens to Lisabeth in court Thursday Neighbor Danny McCauley frequently walks by a memorial erected and maintained by neighbors for the kids and Isaiah He said it s hard on him every time he passes it "It still sort of tears me up because I knew the kid I knew the kid well " he told 11Alive McCauley said he thinks Lisabeth should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for what he did "It s a different thing when a child is in the street playing but when you re on the sidewalk and run over somebody s child " he asked "Shouldn t be no mercy shown toward him for that " (© 2017 WXIA) 2017 02 02 00 34 Adr anne Haney rss eeds 11a ve com
Harsanyi: Stop telling us how to be patriotic
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It was creepy when former President Barack Obama declared his first Inauguration Day as National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation and called upon us to find “common purpose of remaking this nation for our new century ” And it’s creepy when President Donald Trump declares his Inauguration Day as National Day of Patriotic Devotion one in which “a new national pride stirs the American soul and inspires the American heart ” This kind of self-aggrandizement is what you see under cults of personality not American republicanism Far be it from me to lecture anyone on how to love their country but if your devotion to America is contingent upon the party or the person in office you’re probably not doing it quite like the Founding Fathers envisioned
We just survived eight years of a messianic presidency with a finger-wagging patriotism-appropriating administration lecturing us on how to be proper Americans If you didn’t support the administration’s point of view then-Vice President Joe Biden might accuse you of “betting against America ” “What we need as a nation ” then-Treasury Secretary Jack Lew wrote to Congress in 2014 echoing the president “is a new sense of economic patriotism where we all rise or fall together ” Was Lew talking about our unalienable right of free expression? No he was talking about punishing America-based companies that were trying to lower their tax burden which happens to be one of the highest rates in the free world By the way if we’re going to play this game avoiding excessive taxation is also one of the most American things we can do So it was creepy when Obama was trying to replace American idealism with progressivism and calling it “economic patriotism ” and it’s creepy when Trump does basically the same thing under the guise of economic nationalism Now judging from the campaign rhetoric failing to support tariffs or other counterproductive “buy American” economic policies will have you branded seditious over the next four years Trump’s chief strategist Steve Bannon who probably had something to do with the devotion executive order has referred to himself as an “economic nationalist ” a loaded term that means you only love your country if you support mercantilism Economic nationalists rely on a populism that lays blame on others — Mexico China whoever — for American problems It’s a philosophy if we trust Bannon or Trump that values power over most principles including liberty It’s a philosophy that sounds like many things none of them American patriotism
The idea is amorphous but patriotism especially in this country is driven by idealism rather than chauvinism ethnicity or “power ” As George Orwell famously noted nationalism isn’t the same as patriotism In the American sense patriotism is a fidelity to a place and the Constitution and is by nature “defensive both militarily and culturally ” Nationalism on the other hand “is inseparable from the desire for power ” A devotional to our “new national pride” strongly hints at the latter You can hate your president and love your country You can hope your president fails and still be patriotic We don’t always have a shared purpose That’s because presidents are not only commanders in chief but also politicians with agendas And sometimes those agendas clash with your worldview Let’s not have devotionals venerating their ascendency every four years 2017 02 02 00 34 Dav d Harsany rss eeds de ro news com
Rep Bellino: State owes public more openness
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It’s because of that exemption that Michigan is consistently ranked at the bottom of the Center for Public Integrity’s State Integrity Investigation and many residents don’t have faith in their state government When the law allows legislators to keep secrets and hide from questions I don’t blame people for wondering what might be going on behind the scenes The truth is elected officials should avoid taking part in anything that wouldn’t hold up to public scrutiny If they are they should be exposed because the people of Michigan deserve better
I’m committed to serving with openness and honesty and the representatives serving alongside me on both sides of the aisle feel the same way That’s why I joined a group of my colleagues Wednesday to introduce bipartisan legislation that makes us all more accountable to the people of Michigan Similar to legislation passed by the House last year that stalled before making it to the governor’s desk our bills subject the governor and lieutenant governor to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) They also create a set of comparable disclosure rules for state representatives and senators called the Legislative Open Records Act (LORA) Under current law the Freedom of Information Act gives residents the right to request access to most public records from local governments school districts and state departments — but not the state’s legislative branch and top executive offices
This much-needed reform will hold all levels of government to the same standard of accountability We’re all here to serve the public and the public has the right to monitor what we’re doing After all people entrust their hard-earned money to the state government in the form of taxes and it’s just common sense that they should be able to see how we use that money for the good of the state Bringing more transparency to everything we do at the Capitol will help people gain a better understanding of all of the good work being done in the Legislature Perhaps most importantly it will put an end to secrecy and restore the public’s confidence in our state government 2017 02 02 00 34 Joe Be no rss eeds de ro news com
Harbaugh was nervous over Peoples-Jones’ choice
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A link has been posted to your Facebook feed “I didn’t know that ” Peoples-Jones said Wednesday “That was definitely surprising ” Peoples-Jones the No 1 player in Michigan and the top-rated receiver nationally is an early enrollee and heads a deep class of receivers Tarik Black is the No 1 player in Connecticut and No 4 receiver in the country; Nico Collins a four-star is the No 5 player in Alabama; Oliver Martin is the No 1 player in Iowa; and Brad Hawkins is a talented three-star rated receiver There was reason for Harbaugh to be wary of watching the Peoples-Jones announcement though Peoples-Jones said it was a tough decision for him between Michigan Ohio State and Florida State “I probably knew the night before I decided ” he said “And it didn’t come until two days after where I really knew ‘OK I made the best decision for me ’ Now to be here on this stage on the campus I’m just so excited and can’t wait for the future ” Harbaugh knows he has a great group of receivers Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh the primary receivers last season are pursuing NFL futures “It’s a very dynamic group ” he said “Wonderful guys Really talented people ” Harbaugh and his staff signed 30 players Wednesday including two five-star rated players Peoples-Jones and defensive tackle Aubrey Solomon who committed to the Wolverines in the morning Michigan’s class is ranked as high as No 3 by Scout with Alabama and Georgia ahead of the Wolverines Rivals has Michigan No 4 behind Alabama Ohio State and Georgia And 247Sports composite has Michigan at No 5 behind Alabama Ohio State Georgia and Southern California
“I feel great about it ” Harbaugh said of the future of the program “I give a lot of credit to our university to our coaches to our current players that help recruit these youngsters and their family to choose Michigan It’s the lifeblood of a college football program I’m thrilled because of the kind of people they are They’re big-time players but they’re big-time people too from big-time parents ”
Michigan has 11 early enrollees and many were able to attend the second “Sgning of the Stars ”which was more scaled back from last year An estimated 5 000 attended the event at Crisler Center and were entertained by the Michigan marching band drum line and cheerleaders Last year’s event had a lot of star power with Derek Jeter and Tom Brady but this year Harbaugh wanted to have former Michigan players part of the event “It was just the thought we had to make it more about Michigan ” Harbaugh said “Make it about the family the family we are at the University of Michigan It just felt right ” Harbaugh’s offensive staff has a new look with the addition of Greg Frey who will coach tackles and tight ends and is the run-game coordinator and also Pep Hamilton the assistant head coach and pass-game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jay Harbaugh the tight ends coach the last two years moves to running backs Frey most recently was Indiana’s co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach and was officially hired last week DETROIT NEWS Meet Michigan s 2017 football recruits “I just looked at getting a great coach ” Harbaugh said of Frey “A book was written on that — ‘Good To Great’ — (about) getting the right people on the bus and then finding out the seats for them “He’s a tremendous coach Of all the coaches in the Big Ten over the last two years it was Indiana and what they’ve done offensively what Greg Frey has done that I’ve been most impressed with I recommended him to (Oregon coach) Willie Taggart I told my brother John who was looking for a line coach (for the Baltimore Ravens) ‘I would find out who is at Indiana coaching their offense coaching their line ’ They didn’t hire him so I thought ‘I’m going to go after him ’” Hamilton comes to Michigan from the NFL’s Cleveland Browns where he was associate head coach “Pep coming is tremendous ” Harbaugh said “I have experience of working with him and know what kind of coach he is He’s already brought tremendous energy to the position Feel like we’re very strong as a staff ” Jay Harbaugh must now prepare to coach a new position “I think the most important point Jay’s really smart a good football coach ” Harbaugh said “I was looking at my brother John’s career He started as a tight end coach and he went to running backs then he moved to outside backers and defensive backs special teams coordinator and head coach ” Brady is a four-time Super Bowl champion — and looking for No 5 on Sunday — but Harbaugh said he doesn’t believe he gets enough credit Brady the former Michigan quarterback who was an honorary captain last season will try to lead the Patriots past the Atlanta Falcons “He’s the greatest football player of all time ” Harbaugh said Wednesday “He’s not getting that (credit) He doesn’t quite get it the way he should ” Will the credit come if he wins another Super Bowl?
“He’s already got it ” Harbaugh said “Tom Brady is the greatest football player to ever play When you can play that good that consistently great year after year after year year game after game after game nobody’s ever done that Nobody has ever done it like Tom Brady has He’s the best of all time ” Harbaugh said he’s hopeful the NCAA will grant running back Drake Johnson an additional year after he missed last season with injury Cornerback Jeremy Clark already has been denied despite suffering a season-ending knee injury last fall “I don’t know if anything is fool proof when you’re doing an appeal ” Harbaugh said referring to Johnson “He’s had two lost opportunities to play two years he hasn’t been able to play due to injury “I think that’s a no brainer We shall see as they say ” 2017 02 02 00 33 Ange que S rss eeds de ro news com
Blue hearts send a warm hug to local officers
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ROCKVILLE MD (WUSA9) - Their hearts were blue but a few police offices couldn’t be happier! Someone sneaking around in Rockville and in Silver Spring surprised Montgomery County Police Officers with a blue heart sticky-note that reads “Thank you for protecting us out here in these mean streets ” "I don t know how that can t make somebody s day ” said Officer Tara Bond “It was right there on the driver s side window I guess so we would probably see it ” Bond found her heart-shaped sticky-note on Monday WUSA9 was able to find another note still left on a cruiser in Silver Spring "You know walking up it made my day that somebody took the time out to do that for us " she said Sometimes it s the little things that count Found another blue heart left for @mcpnews officers Very sweet @wusa9 pic twitter com/PmCZ1Cb8BB It wasn t that long ago when police-community relations dominated headlines Since then Bond says she s been fortunate enough to have experienced a few acts of kindness "People have been so wonderful Christmas Eve I was in line at the McDonalds cause there was nothing else open by the time I was able to eat and the guy in front of me actually brought my dinner for me ” she said But in her some 10-years with the department the MCP Officer says this was a first: the blue heart melting hers "That s when I m happiest is when I m able to help others and just knowing that our community members support us in that is just wonderful ” she said The ‘suspect’ in this case was very busy Police say whoever did this tagged cruisers from Rockville to Silver Spring “I just want to say thank you ” said Bond Terminally ill boy becomes officer for a day Va police officer gives homeless man shoes sandwich (© 2017 WUSA) 2017 02 02 00 31 S ephan e Ram rez rss eeds wusa9 com
Smaller class sizes proposed for U D middle schools
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By Kevin Tustin ktustin@21st-centurymedia com @KevinTustin on Twitter Posted: 02/01/17 11:31 PM EST Updated: 27 mins ago Upper Darby >> Schedule changes are coming once again to Upper Darby’s middle schools Middle school principals Kelley Simone and Frank Salerno presented during the education and pupil services committee meeting a plan that would increase the number of sections in main subject areas and eliminating the current team structure at the schools If the plan pans out the 2017-18 school year will feature 60 sections each of math and language arts instruction and 56 sections each of social studies and science across grades sixth seventh and eighth This will bring the total number of sections to approximately 220 per middle school more than the 192 sections in all areas of instruction the schools have currently This will be done without any change to the amount of instruction time faculty or elective offerings Rather the plan will allow more flexibility among teachers who have the credentials to teach at the elementary level (grade six) and the middle school (grades seven and eight) levels With more sections class sizes are expected to drop to 21 to 26 per class which now ranges from 19 5 to 35 Without a team structure – where students stay with the same classmates for instruction throughout the day– students will be able to interact with more students in different classes Simone and Salerno are looking to reduce the size of homerooms under this plan to 14 to 20 and keep students in the same homeroom for all three years to foster good relationships with that teacher The plan is seen as a short-term solution in regard to current class sizes and building capacity restraints Salerno said this has received great support by middle school faculty More planning and staff input will be sought through June before being finalized This is the most recent proposed change to middle school schedules after a handful of previous implementations in the last six years 2017 02 02 00 31 By Kev n www de co mes com
Holiday killers: Combatting drownings and road deaths in 2017
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iStock Cape Town - While South Africa might be one of the most incredible places to spend the summer holidays our peak season periods are always marred by a spike in road deaths as well as drownings The figures of fatal road accidents compared to fatal drownings are equally high and shocking An average of 1 528 fatal drownings occur annually of which 44% of fatal drowning are kids under 15 On the roads during this past festive season again more than 1 700 deaths were recorded on South African roads and on average 270 people die on South African roads every week "That s the equivalent of a jumbo jet crashing every week " Niel Langner marketing manager for Continental Tires South Africa told media at a conference where General Tire South Africa announced its partnership with Lifesaving SA ALSO SEE: Summer safety: 30 shark spotters to watch over Cape beaches In line with the Continental Tyre South Africa road safety ‘Vision Zero’ initiative General Tire identified the opportunity to partner with LSA to not only keep you safe on the roads but to keep you safe when you are at the beach swimming pools or at a dam Check out the video below: The sponsorship will aim to drive research and data in order for saving authorities to know where to add resources and pinpoint rescue techniques to reduce and ideally eliminate drownings LSA equips thousands of lifeguards with the skills needed to protect South African beaches and inland swimming areas to create safe havens for tourists and communities What to read next on Traveller24 : - Beaches 101: The ultimate summer guide to the Garden Route - Beaches 101: The ultimate summer guide to Durban and surrounds - Beaches 101: The ultimate summer guide to Cape Town 2017 02 02 00 31
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NBC-2 com WBBH News for Fort Myers Cape Coral & Naples Florida
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Scammers are finding new ways to get your personal information posing at utility workers to get inside your home "It s sad I think it happens a lot " said Leah Cordero "I might fall into one of those scams " You can hardly change the channel or scroll through social media without seeing something about scams "We live in a world of scams " said Rose Demoraes Now LCEC said there s something new to watch out for warning that someone could be pretending to be an LCEC representative to try and get into your home It strikes concern into the hearts of parents like Cordero "As a mom I feel like I can t really trust anyone whether it s a person or a company " she said Another concern for customers comes over the phone when threats are made that your power will be shut off if you don t pay a past due bill "If my bill was late I would probably pay " Demoraes said LCEC said there are a few things you should know The company will never come to your home without making an appointment or call you and ask for personal information They won t threaten to close your account if you don t immediately give personal information If someone suspicious is at your door claiming to work for LCEC ask them for a photo ID badge You can always call your utility company to find out if there s a legitimate reason for someone to be at your house If you think something illegal is happening call law enforcement LCEC s number is (239) 656-2300 "You don t know who s well intentioned and who has bad intentions so it s scary " Cordero said 2017 02 02 00 31 Scammers are www nbc 2 com
Georgians battling for cannabis oil willing to break law
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ATLANTA -- The controversial fight to expand Georgia’s medical marijuana law got off the ground at the state capitol Wednesday The goal for supporters is to allow more patients to use a low THC cannabis oil 11Alive News was the only local station inside the first hearing for the expanded bill “March 7 I began illegally treating my son with cannabis oil ” said Dale Jackson medical cannabis advocate Georgians willing to break the law in the fight for medical cannabis are making their voices heard this 2017 legislative session “I’m never going to be cured but I can have a decent quality of life and feel like a human being again ” said Angie Simons medical cannabis advocate Simons who has lupus and Stanley Atkins a veteran who deals with constant pain are among fighting against these laws “I describe it as a filet knife not very wide but long piercing through your liver through your diaphragm and into your gallbladder ” Atkins said Bridgett Liquori is a mother who sent her young son with autism to New York because she said she couldn’t get him the proper care in Georgia “It got to be too much and I couldn’t do it anymore " she said "As Dale Jackson was saying sometimes you just got to give up So my son lives 800 miles away from me with his grandparents because there was no other option ” The expansion State Rep Allen Peake of Macon is presenting would add AIDS HIV Alzheimer’s PTSD intractable pain and Autism to the list of patients who can already legally use cannabis oil “In the 2 years the law has been in place the sky hasn’t fallen " he said "Now would be a proper time to allow additional citizens to benefit from medical cannabis oil " However in Georgia you can’t legally grow or buy medical cannabis Law enforcement and some religious groups are opposed to it and some still aren’t sure cannabis works “There theoretically could be about 10 000 children in the state that would be impacted by autism and theoretically could be seeking this oil for which there are no bona fide studies to support it ” Executive Director Rick Ward of the Pediatric Association of Georgia said
A bill that would allow the voters to decide if it should be grown in Georgia HB 65 is still working its way through the legislature That focus on expanding the current law will be discussed again next Wednesday during a hearing for the medical marijuana working group The group could vote on it that day and move it forward in the House Also at Wednesday’s hearing Dr David Bradford a professor at the University of Georgia detailed the findings of his extensive research on medical cannabis Bradford said that appropriately designed medical cannabis laws can save lives and money (© 2017 WXIA) WXIA Ga mom taking lead on next push for legal cannabis oil WXIA Jayden s Juice: Fathers claim cannabis oil helping control seizures WXIA GA House committee guts medical cannabis bill WXIA Woman quits job over medical cannabis for son WXIA Parents fighting for cannabis oil for toddler whose skin breaks down constantly WXIA The future of Medical Cannabis in Georgia 2017 02 02 00 30 Chr s opher Hopper rss eeds 11a ve com
10 cars we love to hate
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A link has been posted to your Facebook feed Which are the worst cars ever produced? There have been lot of horribly designed vehicles but does that make a car bad? What if you and your sweetie had your first kiss in the back of a Pinto got engaged in a Pacer or conceived your first child in a Yugo? (Somehow ) Then these cars would represent something cherished “Cars sometimes become members of the family ” said Leslie Kendall chief curator at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles “We give them names and assign human attributes to them ” So here’s a list in absolutely no order The Corvair is probably most famous for a skewering by safety watchdog Ralph Nader when he wrote a book about the car titled “Unsafe at Any Speed ” During its first test run at a race track the car flipped over The rear-mounted engine placed more than 60 percent of the car’s weight on the back wheels making it difficult to control The complex heating system filled the cabin with noxious fumes There was a one-piece steering column In an accident the driver became a shish kabob But at the same time the Corvair was also lauded Calling it a “Poor Man’s Porsche ” Motor Trend magazine named it their Car of the Year for 1960 This car is so bad that it became a synonym for a failure The Edsel was much ballyhooed by Ford as a revolutionary vehicle But when introduced buyers hated the design Ford spent $300 million developing the Edsel Not money well-spent It had automatic transmission with push-button controls that were mounted on the steering wheel Drivers ended up shifting gears while trying to honk the horn It was named after Henry Ford’s son but in retrospect they should have gone with one of the other names that were considered: “Utopian Turtletop” or “Mongoose Civique ” The Gremlin was introduced on April Fools’ Day in 1970 This small rust-bucket was also a gas guzzler (21 mpg) The flip-up back window was prone to break off in the driver’s hands The worst feature was its styling The original design was sketched on an air sickness bag Former presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush drove Gremlins in 1974 Car and Driver dubbed the Pacer “The Flying Fishbowl ” It was heavily advertised but failed miserably Also known as the “Rolling Jellybean ” its gas mileage was just over 20 mpg The 1977 model offered a Levi’s jean interior A sky-blue Pacer with flame decals and a licorice dispenser was used in “Wayne’s World ” Wayne and Garth called it the Mirth Mobile The car was sold at a recent Las Vegas auction for $37 000 Schwing! The Pinto’s claim to infamy was a notorious design error — a fuel filler neck that snapped off in rear-end collisions turning the Pinto into a flaming deathtrap Eddie Murphy joked that his family used to rear-end Pintos rather than buying fireworks A memo later uncovered concerning the Pinto said that Ford executives were aware of the problem but calculated that the cost of reinforcing the rear ends ($121 million) was greater than the potential payout to victims ($50 million)
When you think about Volkswagen you think about the Beetle not a stripped-down off-roader that looks like the illegitimate offspring of a dumpster and a bread box The car was known as the Kurierwagen in West Germany the Trekker in the U K the Safari in South America and the Pescaccia in Italy In the U S it was known as the Thing because in the ’50s through to the late ’70s Pontiac produced a station-wagon called the Safari so the name was off-limits The Thing went on the American market in 1972 Sales were unimpressive Folks thought The Thing was just too darn ugly U S distribution ceased in 1975 because the car failed to meet new safety standards Dan Neil auto writer for the Wall Street Journal called the Yugo the Mona Lisa of bad cars “It was built in Soviet-bloc Yugoslavia and had the distinct feeling of something assembled at gunpoint ” Neil said The car was initially produced by an arms manufacturer named Zastava Time Magazine pointed out: “Interestingly in a car where ‘carpet’ was listed as a standard feature the Yugo had a rear-window defroster (to keep your hands warm while you pushed it )” Our favorite Yugo joke: A guy walks into an auto parts store and asks the clerk “Can I get a set of wiper blades for a Yugo?” The clerk thinks about it for a second and then says “Well I suppose that’s a fair trade ”
When you saw a Vega on the road it was either belching out oily smoke or being towed Rust was its biggest problem and holes often developed the floorboards after only two years on the road Folks in salted slop states like Minnesota had to replace the front fenders after only two years In 1972 GM issued three mass recalls the largest covering 500 000 Vegas to fix defective axles balky throttles and a bunch of other problems that caused fires GM executive Bob Lutz said the Pontiac Aztek looked like “an angry kitchen appliance ” They only stayed on the market for five years — no one wanted to buy them The car had such a negative impact that many say it was single-handedly responsible for destroying Pontiac In the U S annual sales never topped 25 000 On the plus side the center console could be converted into a beer cooler
The subcompact Chevette earned a reputation as a car that drove even worse than it looked The interior was shiny plastic that came in black beige or bright red Although the Chevette got great gas mileage it had only a 51-horsepower engine Disgruntled union workers in Detroit sometimes welded Coke bottles into the sills of cars going down the assembly line creating mysterious rattles that were impossible to fix But the most annoying thing for us is that the commercial jingle is still stuck in our heads: “Chevy Chevette — it’ll drive you happy!” 2017 02 02 00 30 B
A ko er rss eeds de ro news com
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Class size goals to change for UDSD facility study
By Kevin Tustin ktustin@21st-centurymedia com @KevinTustin on Twitter Posted: 02/01/17 11:30 PM EST Updated: 25 mins ago Upper Darby >> An integral part of a districtwide facility study of Upper Darby schools and class size is about to be updated During a recent committee structure meeting the school board agreed to move forward with a new elementary-level class size goals plan called Option D-Revised which is a modified option from what the board initially approved back in November It is believed the plan will serve as a major plug-in by which architect-of-record Don Bonnett will be able to present a completed district-wide facility study Option D-Revised keeps the same maximum class room size as the original Option D for kindergarten 20 and first and second grades 22 The revised option increases the maximum class size goal for third grade from 22 to 25 and fourth and fifth grades from 25 to 27 Any options the board approves will be used merely as guidance for the completion of the study to analyze available learning space and determine the number of classrooms needed with the given class goal sizes The school board is scheduled to approve Option D-Revised at their next meeting on Feb 14
The board’s change to another option comes months after being strongly advised by Bonnett to make a decision in November on three original options – A B and C – in order to move the study toward completion Bonnett said then a study would be completed in four months from the time they selected an original class size goal option The study is now expected to be done by the end of the school year A facility study was commissioned by the board in March 2016 for Bonnett’s architecture firm to evaluate the potential need to build another elementary school in the district and to comply with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s PlanCon capital reimbursement program Failing to submit a facility study when the district submitted parts A and B of the PlanCon application in June 2015 has since rendered their application ineligible for potentially millions of dollars in reimbursements of a $35 million project 2017 02 02 00 30 By Kev n www de co mes com
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Letter: Trump is hurting U S workers
Instead of focusing on winning cases and protecting Michigan families Schuette’s tenure as attorney general has been the very definition of “superficial posturing ” Fresh off being publicly shamed for it he was back at it with a misleading essay pandering to Donald Trump (“ Trump stands for working America ” Jan 25) Schuette claims Trump stands for working Americans yet within hours of taking office he was taking money right out of their pockets by eliminating a mortgage interest rate reduction that would have saved working families in Michigan thousands of dollars on their loans Instead big banks and mortgage lenders will make billions If that wasn’t heartless enough Trump and Republicans in Congress made it clear they intend to strip millions of Americans of health care coverage In Michigan alone more than 2 million residents will lose their insurance if Republicans follow through with their reckless and irresponsible plan to dismantle the Affordable Care Act Schuette also crossed the line by attempting to associate the Democratic Party and millions of peaceful protesters with an anarchist fringe group that used Trump’s inauguration as an excuse to riot and damage property The fact is unlike Trump and Republicans Democrats are fighting for working Americans every day The people of Michigan know they were misled by Trump and they are justifiably outraged Democrats will continue to stand up for people who work for a living and whose livelihoods are being destroyed by irresponsible and dangerous Republican policies 2017 02 02 00 30 E Feb rss eeds de ro news com
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Ex-Radnor pol waives hearing on fondling rap
By Alex Rose Delaware County Daily Times Posted: 02/01/17 11:29 PM EST Updated: 26 mins ago MEDIA COURTHOUSE >> A former Radnor Township Commissioner accused of fondling a 103-year-old resident at the Wayne Nursing Home in December waived arraignment Wednesday on indecent assault charges William Spingler 75 of Paoli is charged with three counts of indecent assault on a person with a mental disability No court date or judge assignment was available Wednesday Defense attorney Jim Pierce did not have a comment Employees of the nursing home in Wayne told police they saw Spingler touching the residents’ chest on three separate occasions Dec 15 Dec 17 and Dec 23 according to an affidavit of probable cause Police were first called to the facility Dec 16 where one employee said Spingler came in Dec 15 and kissed the alleged victim on the lips then briefly touched her right breast The employee said she immediately reported the incident to her unit manager then returned to the room and stood behind Spingler unnoticed The employee said Spingler had his hand underneath a blanket covering the resident “moving around her chest area in a manner that could not be misconstrued with anything else but inappropriate touching ” according to the affidavit Spingler continued the alleged inappropriate touching for about a minute until he became aware of the employee’s presence the affidavit states He then allegedly slowly removed his hand from under the blanket and left the facility
Another employee who had been alerted of the first alleged incident told police she was wary of Spingler’s interaction with the resident when he returned Dec 17 and kept an eye on the pair She also observed Spingler using his right hand under a blanket covering the woman that day to massage her chest in a way “not to be mistaken for any assistance of any kind ” the affidavit states When Spingler noticed the employee watching him Dec 17 he allegedly became red in the face and left the facility A registered nurse and unit manager for the resident’s floor called Radnor Detective Christopher Four Dec 23 after allegedly witnessing the third and final incident the affidavit states The nurse said Spingler was hugging the alleged victim while saying goodbye and wrapped an arm around her then grabbed “a good amount of material to include skin in the chest area ” according to the affidavit The resident’s face indicated she was uncomfortable and she began to pull away according to the nurse When confronted Spingler allegedly said “What?” and bid the alleged victim goodbye again before departing Spingler was the first Democrat to join the Radnor Board of Commissioners in 1970 He also served as a county commissioner from 1972 to 1980 and ran unsuccessfully for the 7th District congressional seat in 1986 He returned to the Radnor board in 1991 and stayed in office until 2015 stepping down as president Spingler remains free on $10 000 unsecured bail He has been ordered to have no contact with the nursing home resident – Digital First Media Reporter Linda Stein contributed to this report Alex Rose covers court proceedings for the Daily Times He also writes a weekly science column Reach the author at arose@delcotimes com
2017 02 02 00 29 By www de co mes com
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Tide not turning: Alabama still No 1
Five-star defensive end LaBryan Ray and four-star wide receiver Henry Ruggs III — both in-state recruits — and Louisiana receiver Devonta Smith announced Wednesday they would play for the Crimson Tide A quintet of five-star prospects are mid-year enrollees and Ray’s signing gives Alabama the No 1 prospect from five states according to the 247Sports composite rankings The group also included five-star QB Tua Tagovailoa It was Alabama’s seventh straight No 1 class in the composite rankings as of Wednesday evening Alabama coach Nick Saban said recruiting ratings like where players are drafted matter less than production and the staff’s own evaluation “I don’t know how we’re rated ” Saban said “I didn’t know these guys where they were rated how many stars they have I don’t know anything about that We kind of evaluate the players like we’re going to draft them and take the guys that meet the criteria the critical factors that we want at positions ” The 12 early enrollees are the most under Saban one more than the 2010 group A dozen also were named five-stars by at least one recruiting service The class is led by running back Najee Harris from Antioch Calif The No 3 overall prospect nationally chose Alabama over Michigan Saban said he’s a complete back who has size speed hands and runs solid routes Michigan by the way got a little revenge with defensive tackle Aubrey Solomon who Wednesday chose the Wolverines over Alabama Notre Dame’s awful season (4-8) didn’t prevent the Fighting Irish from bringing in a highly ranked class Kelly was meeting the media when his cell phone rang “Jeremiah?” he said before walking out of the room ” 2017 02 02 00 29 John Zenor rss eeds de ro news com
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Opinion Sound Off for Thursday Feb 2
Posted: 02/01/17 11:29 PM EST Updated: 29 mins ago I would like to thank Bill at the Wells Fargo Bank in Lansdowne for being so professional patient and very helpful in getting a problem solved He is an asset to the bank By the way Wendy’s is on me! Thanks again M L I agree with “Fill The Pothole” about that pothole on Kerlin Street It’s as big as a manhole It’s going to cause a serious car accident or a pedestrian crossing the street at night is going to get seriously hurt
To “Chester’s Rocky’s ” the statue in Philadelphia of Rocky is that of a fictional character from a Hollywood movie It’s a novelty to attract tourists and take pictures For a statue in Chester start funDraisers organize a committee find a sculptor and get started Pick up the ball – you can do it The statue of a real Philadelphia hero Cpl Michael Crescenz was dedicated April 24 2016 and erected at the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Front and Spruce streets Cpl Crescenz a Medal of Honor recipient died from his wounds in Vietnam
I live in Folsom and I’m just wondering why certain houses on my block received their circulars on Thursday when other houses do not receive them There’s no set rhyme or reason If looks like some people receiving them don’t want them and toss them right in the trash but people do who aren’t getting them What’s going on here? CONCERNED SHOPPER Donald Trump thinks he is still on his show “The Apprentice ” He loves to say “You’re fired ” as he did to Sally Yates If only someone could say to Trump “you’re fired!” FIRE HIM
I notice how liberals use the word “we” in their signs and speech Keep your collective “we” to yourself You speak for yourself not for me The liberals think they speak for us all – they don’t They lost in 2016 and lost big time They have big mouths and a lot of time “Double Standard Madge” is ripping Madonna for saying that what she said was taken out of contest Well thankfully for “Double Standard Madge” Republicans don’t have to worry about their poor choices of words being taken out of context anymore because they have “alternative facts” now
“Olga Perolga” made me think about something: How many people who demand we keep our national endowments for the arts humanities etc actually patronize in any way what these things are funding Are these like all the protestors who go out for a feel good afternoon of complaining while taking no meaningful action to change anything? If they complain about Trump threatening funding for the arts do they feel more cultured while they watch network TV sitcoms and eating potato chips? “Pity Poor Tom” says that they think that hack Corbett did a good job Corbett couldn’t get anything done when he had a totally Republican Legislature backing him up and you think that’s doing a good job? No wonder Trump won the presidency with people like you
“Double Standard Madge” likes pick on Madonna because she claimed that what she said about blowing up the White House was taken out of context Republicans claim that the stupid things they say were taken out of context all the time You don’t have a problem with that obviously though because it’s Republican saying stupid things
I don’t know why so many Democrats in the Philadelphia region are upset with Trump A lot wanted Ed Rendell for president and this is about as close as they’ll ever come to getting their wish – a big talking “man of the people” Northeast Democrat in the big seat I guess the only difference is that Trump changed parties in the last 10 years and Rendell sticks to mediocre football commentary 2017 02 02 00 29 www de co mes com
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Purdue Ends Northwestern’s 6-Game Winning Streak With 80-59 Rout
WEST LAFAYETTE Ind (AP) — Caleb Swanigan had 24 points and 16 rebounds and Vince Edwards added 17 points Wednesday night to lead No 23 Purdue to an 80-59 rout over No 25 Northwestern The Boilermakers (18-5 7-3 Big Ten) have won four of five and still have not lost consecutive games this season Bryant McIntosh scored 22 points to lead Northwestern (18-5 7-3) The Wildcats’ six-game winning streak came to an end on a night when leading scorer Scottie Lindsey sat out because of the flu Purdue took advantage of Lindsey’s absence by going 9 of 14 on 3-pointers in the first half and pulling out to a 45-23 lead Northwestern couldn’t get closer than 14 in the second half Swanigan had his 19th double-double of the season Edwards wound up with his highest scoring total since mid-December and made a season-high five 3s against the league’s best 3-point defense The Wildcats finished with their second-lowest scoring output of the season as Purdue coach Matt Painter moved into a tie with former Michigan coach Johnny Orr for No 17 in career Big Ten victories (120) BIG PICTURE
Northwestern: The Wildcats came up one win short of matching the longest Big Ten winning streak in school history But without Lindsey perhaps that should have been expected While a road loss to a ranked team without their best player shouldn’t hurt their NCAA Tournament cause it could knock the Wildcats out of next week’s AP Top 25 poll
Purdue: The Boilermakers rebounded from a loss at Nebraska with an impressive home victory Purdue has now won at least 12 home games in each of the last 12 seasons If the Boilermakers keep displaying this type of balance they could rise again in the Top 25 — and the conference standings UP NEXT Northwestern: Returns home to host in-state rival Illinois next Tuesday Purdue: Visits No 17 Maryland on Saturday for its second straight game against a ranked foe (© 2017 by STATS LLC and Associated Press Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited ) 2017 02 02 00 28 ch cago cbs oca com
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Opinion Editorial missed mark on liquor privatization
Posted: 02/01/17 11:27 PM EST Updated: 29 mins ago To the Times: The editorial board’s concern that liquor privatization would require lawmakers to replace revenue from sales (Some sobering numbers on selling off state stores Jan 24) displays a misunderstanding of how the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) operates An overwhelming percentage of PLCB sales revenue covers operating expenses (for example buying alcohol paying employees maintaining state stores) Meanwhile taxes on liquor – not “profits” – comprise the bulk of revenue that goes to the state – 77 percent according to the PLCB’s most recent annual report
Under privatization most PLCB operating costs would shift to the private sector Private industry would still collect taxes meaning revenue would continue to flow to the state Additionally total revenue is likely to increase under privatization With more choices and convenience consumers won’t have to shop in neighboring states – a problem known as “border bleed ” which costs the state upwards of $180 million in lost sales each year Privatization also would enable the sale of retail and wholesale licenses which could net taxpayers more than $1 billion according to a 2011 PFM Group report This revenue would help solve the state’s budget deficit in the short-term allowing lawmakers time to adopt and implement desperately needed long-term reforms While liquor privatization will be a net benefit for the state budget the real reason to end the error of government booze lies with the benefits to consumers and entrepreneurs Both deserve a system that finally meets their needs Bob Dick Senior Policy Analyst Commonwealth Foundation 2017 02 02 00 27 www de co mes com
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Delaware County Council OKs $400G to push Chester Creek trail
By Kathleen E Carey Delaware County Daily Times Posted: 02/01/17 11:26 PM EST Updated: 31 mins ago MEDIA >> In one swift move Delaware County Council forged ahead with the second phase of the Chester Creek Trail clearing the way for what will be the largest county-owned trail to date “We now have in place all the funds necessary for the design of phase 2 of the trail ” County Councilman John McBlain said after casting a vote approving funding engineering services for this part of the trail at Wednesday’s weekly county council meeting “This is one step further in the county’s commitment to implement our open space trails and recreation and greenway plan ” By a 4-0 vote Delaware County Council approved two grants totaling $416 000 for engineering the second phase of the Chester Creek Rails to Trails project that would stretch 1 5 miles from Chester Creek Road in Middletown to Bridgewater Road in Aston Council Chairman Mario Civera was absent from the meeting The funding is provided half through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the other half by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission “This funding brings the county much closer to our vision of creating a linear greenway through the county’s more scenic and naturally beautiful areas ” said Linda F Hill director of the Delaware County Planning Department The first phase of the trail was completed last year and cost $6 million That part featured a 2 8-mile walking and biking trail that goes from Lenni Road to Creek Road in Middletown “As they say in Vegas we’re in the midst of a soft opening for it ” McBlain said adding that a formal opening for the first phase of the trail will be held in the spring “It’s certainly the longest and the largest trail that we have so far ” The Chester Creek Trail is anticipated to connect the Wawa Train Station in Middletown to the Caleb Pusey House in Upland The Friends of Chester Creek was a non-profit organization formed to acquire funding construct and maintain a light recreational trail parallel to the Chester Creek and along the Chester Creek Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad The idea is largely credited to the late Mike Fusco who envisioned a 16-mile trail connecting the Brandywine River Museum and the Caleb Pusey House Kathleen Carey is the lead business writer for the Daily Times Reach the author at kcarey@delcotimes com
2017 02 02 00 26 By www de co mes com
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Dash cam video captures fatal police involved shooting in Dearborn
DEARBORN Mich (WXYZ) - 7 Action News has obtained dash cam video of a fatal police involved shooting in Dearborn Janet Wilson was shot after a chase in January of last year Officer James Wade III was cleared of any wrongdoing Wilson s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit Watch the report by Curtis Jackson in the video player above The video has been edited for time 2017 02 02 00 26 Cur s Jackson www wxyz com
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Chester Township man gets jail time in ‘upskirt’ pix case
By Alex Rose Delaware County Daily Times Posted: 02/01/17 11:26 PM EST Updated: 29 mins ago MEDIA COURTHOUSE >> A Chester Township man who pleaded guilty in November to surreptitiously taking “upskirt” photographs of women in three separate cases was sentenced to one to two years in a state prison Wednesday Bobby D Hayden 34 of the 1500 block of Rainer Road will also have to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life but was not deemed a sexually violent predator by the state Sexual Offenders Assessment Board Hayden was arrested May 19 after taking “upskirt” photographs of a Delaware County assistant district attorney who recognized what was happening inside the Seven Stones Cafe in Media and kept her composure then called police while keeping sight of the man Hayden was also identified by the victim in a similar incident at The Pretzel Factory on South 69th Street in Upper Darby following his arrest in Media and admitted to a third incident once he was in custody He previously had entered guilty pleas before Judge Mary Alice Brennan to three counts each of invasion of privacy harassment and disorderly conduct as well as one count of possessing an instrument of crime
The victim thanked Deputy Attorney General Michelle Lynn Laucella for her efforts in prosecuting the case Wednesday as well as the Upper Darby Police Department for getting Hayden off the street The victim said she believed Hayden would have continued with his crimes if he had not been arrested “Obviously this was a very upsetting event where I was just going about my daily business ” she said “I think that probably a lot of other women in my position wouldn’t have either recognized what was happening or wouldn’t have followed through with calling the police ”
Defense attorney Joseph Stanley said he believes his client is remorseful and understands the seriousness of his crimes Stanley added that he thinks Hayden suffers from an issue that can be addressed by therapy and his family has agreed he would benefit from some treatment “Mr Hayden has indicated he would go through counseling and does appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions ” Stanley said “He would like to apologize to the victims and hopefully be rehabilitated going forward ” Hayden was given credit for time served from May 20 to Wednesday In addition to prison time he will serve three years of consecutive state probation Alex Rose covers court proceedings for the Daily Times He also writes a weekly science column Reach the author at arose@delcotimes com
2017 02 02 00 26 By www de co mes com
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Opinion Editorial: Looking at both sides of pipeline issue
Posted: 02/01/17 11:25 PM EST Updated: 32 mins ago They brought out the big guns down in Marcus Hook Tuesday And 20 jobs to boot Much has been made about the opposition to Sunoco Logistics’ plan to build a new pipeline to push hundreds of thousands of barrels of Marcellus Shale products such as ethane butane and propane to Marcus Hook Tuesday we got a look at the flip side That would be the enormous economic upside of Sunoco Logistics’ Mariner East 2 project Like what you might ask? Like the company now looking to fill 20 new positions Jobs by the way that just happen to pay $80 000 dollars a year These aren’t minimum wage positions they’re looking to fill And this in a town that saw hundreds of similar family-supporting jobs disappear when Sunoco decided to get out of the refinery business and shutter its iconic facility that had stood proudly on the Marcus Hook waterfront for more than a century Company officials were joined by county brass and economic czars at the Marcus Hook Community Center to offer an update on Sunoco Logistics’ plans and to put some numbers behind all this talk of a rebirth in the Hook The 20 positions the company is looking to fill will push the full-time workforce at the site to more than 200 according to Joe McGinn senior manager for Public Affairs at Sunoco Logistics And that does not count the 2 200 construction workers currently converting the old refinery into what some are envisioning as an energy hub for the entire Northeast The plan is to use a new pipeline – known as Mariner East 2 – to carry all those Marcellus Shale byproducts across the state of Pennsylvania to Marcus Hook where they will be stored before being loaded on ships for delivery to both domestic and international customers The company is already using the old existing Sunoco pipeline that has traversed much the same stretch of western Delaware County for decades to deliver about 70 000 barrels of ethane and propane daily to the Hook Mariner East 2 would mean construction of a new pipeline – and a huge boost in the amount of material arriving as much as 250 000 barrels a day There was no shortage of folks on hand to praise the project and what it could hold for the future of the county and region County Councilman Dave White called it “great news for Delaware County’s economy ”
J Patrick Killian the county’s commerce director praised the nature of the jobs the “jobs of the future ” And he pointed out there is a lot of “trickle-down” economics involved in the project “There’s a lot of spin-off There will be spin-off suppliers It just grows incrementally ” White could not resist a reference to the turnaround for the region When that refinery closed it meant a path to a solid middle-class life for many in the county’s lower end suddenly became a dead end It literally could have meant the end of a way of life and it did for many who lost their jobs “Just five years ago we were looking at a bleak future for this waterfront ” the councilman said “Refineries were closing people were losing their jobs and nearby businesses were also suffering ” So everyone is thrilled with the economic bonanza and reversal of fortune right? Uh not entirely There are a lot of people in the western part of the county – where Mariner East 2 will snake its final 11 miles to Marcus Hook – who are not thrilled about having a new pipeline as their new neighbor They have raised concerns about property values and safety especially in light of the fact that the path of the pipeline would take it just a few hundred feet from a local elementary school They maintain there is a big difference between Sunoco’s old oil pipeline and Mariner East 2 which will handle volatile gases at high pressure and which would be much more difficult to deal with in the event of a leak They successfully got Middletown Council to OK a $44 000 expenditure – ironically from the funds the township received from the rights-of-way it granted to Sunoco – to bring in an outside firm to do a new risk assessment of the pipeline project Yesterday county officials said they are aware of residents’ concerns and have every intention of making sure they are addressed “We want to build it in a safe and environmentally friendly way ” said White noting the state Department of Environmental Protection will hold sway on oversight of the pipeline He said the county also has been planning for just such a pipeline for years County Councilman John McBLain vowed that the economic factors will not override the county’s first priority “We obviously want this project to move forward but our first job is to make sure that our residents are safe ” McBlain said Will that mollify the concerns of residents? Not likely Nor should it Sunoco’s permit applications are still churning their way through state agencies More public hearings are being planned A safety summit is being considered Residents are right to apply and keep the pressure on both their local officials and the company to ensure every safety precaution is being taken That’s the dual-edged sword that this project clearly represents: Undoubtedly one of the biggest economic stories in the county and region one that greatly concerns neighbors Everyone wants the economic benefits; no one is doing cartwheels about having a pipeline in their back yard That is the challenge county and Sunoco officials face: Calmly rationally explaining both the pluses and minuses of what is in the pipeline for Delaware County 2017 02 02 00 25 www de co mes com
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Manson Family member Bruce Davis found 'suitable for parole'
"Inmate Bruce Davis was found suitable for parole today at his parole suitability hearing at the California Men s Colony in San Luis Obispo " California Dept of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesman Luis Patino confirmed in an emailed statement Davis was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of musician Gary Hinman and stuntman Donald "Shorty" Shea in August 1969 and conspiracy to commit murder and robbery He began his sentence in 1972 He was not involved in the most infamous murders that the group of followers known as the Manson Family committed -- the murder of Roman Polanski s actress wife Sharon Tate along with four other people at the director s home Davis parole decision will now go to the Board of Parole Hearings before being sent to California Governor Jerry Brown who has 30 days to uphold reverse or modify the decision according to the statement Previous parole hearings quashed Brown has reversed three previous parole grants for Davis who also had a parole grant reversed by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger In July last year another Manson Family member Leslie Van Houten had her parole recommendation turned down by Gov Brown who said the murder convict "currently poses an unreasonable danger to society " Davis accomplice Steven "Clem" Grogan was released on parole in 1986 after revealing the location Shea s body He remains the only member of the group to have been paroled Manson who led a murderous California cult in the late 1960s was reportedly hospitalized in January although a Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesperson told CNN at the time the department cannot provide information on the convicted killer due to privacy laws on health information Manson 82 is serving nine life terms for ordering a wave of killings in the summer of 1969 2017 02 02 00 25 Euan McK rdy rss cnn com
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Jazz roll past Bucks 104-88
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah s stars came out firing on all cylinders while the Bucks were almost no where to been seen as the Jazz rolled to 104-88 victory Wednesday night Gordon Hayward finished with 27 points on 8-of-13 shooting Rudy Gobert turned in his 33rd double-double of the season with 26 points and 15 rebounds Numbers • Milwaukee s Giannis Antetokounmpo was held to just nine points on 2-for-10 shooting • The Jazz s biggest lead of the game was 25 points • Though he only scored three points Joe Ingles was plus-23 on his time on the court Records: Jazz (31-19) Bucks (21-26) Leaders Jazz: Bucks:Jabari Parker led the Bucks with 17 points Up next Jazz: vs Hornets Saturday 7 p m Nuggets: at Nuggets Friday 7 p m 2017 02 02 00 25 www desere news com
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St Vincent de Paul donation trucks burglarized thieves caught on camera
WESTLAND Mich (WXYZ) - A metro Detroit charity has been crippled by the actions of thieves but they were caught on camera It happened early Wednesday morning at the St Vincent de Paul store in Westland Around 2:30 a m several people pulled up in a white SUV According to St Vincent de Paul officials the trucks parked behind the store were burglarized The batteries were stolen and the wiring cut and damaged in nearly every truck in the fleet The trucks are used to pick up donations all over the metro area "This is our entire fleet of trucks and so it did not enable us to go to our more than 70 stops to pick up donated items ” said Executive Director and Deacon at St Vincent de Paul Chris Stark St Vincent de Paul operates several thrift stores like the one in Westland around metro Detroit With donations and money raised the charity helps people in need with clothing food rent even dental care "It s a sad commentary when people are stealing from a charity designed around helping people through difficult times ” said Stark The cost will likely be close to $5 000 and the time spent without the trucks is also costing the charity because it’s unable to collect donations "It s not just a matter of replacing batteries and dropping them in it s the electrical wiring that now has to be replaced ” said Stark If you recognize the people in the video or the SUV call the Westland Police Department (734) 722-9600 If you’d like to make a donation to St Vincent de Paul you can fi nd a location here 2017 02 02 00 24 Breanne Pa mer n www wxyz com
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Granting of new trial frees inmate after 20 years
Embed Share For Monson who was granted a new murder trial earlier this week the release was “surreal” and the answer to prayer “This is something we had been waiting on and anticipating for the longest time and it finally came ” Monson said outside of the Wayne County Jail Monson 44 was released on bond pending his new trial in the 1996 killing of 12-year-old Christina Brown Wayne Circuit Judge Shannon Walker granted the new trial Monday after a bloody thumb print on what likely is the murder weapon was found to belong to someone else Immediately following his release Monson was greeted with hugs by more than a dozen relatives friends and supporters including his mother Delores Monson and attorney David Moran head of the University of Michigan Innocence Clinic which officially took the case in 2015 Monson spend most of his sentence at the Gus Harrison Correctional Facility which is near Adrian “I knew my son was innocent and somebody else has to pay for this ” she said “I feel like I’m in heaven ” Delores Monson said she is grateful for the Innocence Clinic attorneys and other supporters “Everybody that prayed for us gave money for us who didn’t know us — we’re thankful and we’re grateful ” she said The judge said Monday that the thumb print on the toilet tank lid prompted her decision to grant Monson a new trial The lid stayed for years in a Detroit police evidence storage room and was not presented during Monson’s trial Monson sought a new trial after the Michigan State Police matched the fingerprints on the toilet lid to Robert Lewis whose then-girlfriend lived in the apartment building where the killing took place 2752 W Boston A new trial is scheduled for April 24 and a trial attorney has offered to take the case pro bono Moran said Moran said he’s happy for his client “I ve gotten to know Lamarr really well ” he said “He’s a very quiet soft spoken humble guy I really like him ” Moran said he was a model prisoner with only a handful of misconduct incidents “Many for being in the library when he wasn t suppose to be in the library ” Moran said Moran said Monson plans to work with his uncle an electrical contractor which he did before he was imprisoned He also has an adult daughter in Nevada to reunite with as well as a granddaughter “Right now I’m glad to be here at this point in the process ” Monson said “I’m just looking forward to being home with my family ” In 2012 Lewis’ ex-girlfriend Shellena Bentley walked into a police precinct and claimed Lewis was Brown’s killer Lewis has not been charged with the crime and prosecutors through the years insisted Monson’s conviction was solid
Innocence Clinic attorneys had the toilet lid re-examined after Bentley’s claim During earlier hearings a fingerprint expert testified the bloody thumb print did not belong to Monson Assistant Prosecutor David McCreedy argued the print could have been left there by someone else after the assault In court filings prosecutors also said it’s not unusual that Lewis’ prints were found on the lid since he frequently bought drugs in the unheated first-floor apartment During a hearing in September Bentley who lived in the apartment building testified that on the night of the killing Lewis twice bought crack cocaine from Brown and that they smoked it in her apartment upstairs When the drugs were gone she said Lewis went back downstairs to ask Brown to give him more crack on credit She testified that when he returned he had blood dripping off his fingernails and that he was frantic Monson who was 23 at the time of the slaying claims Brown told him she was 17 He told police that about 1:30 p m he walked into the apartment where he and Brown sold marijuana and crack cocaine and found Brown’s bloodied beaten body lying faceup on the bathroom floor Although in his first statement Monson told police he had nothing to do with the killing he signed a document the next day that stated he’d stabbed Brown to death after she attacked him Moran said that Monson was given a piece of paper and was told to sign it without having a chance to read it He said the confession was the only evidence presented during his trial A jury convicted him in March 1997 In court filings Moran said Monson is entitled to a new trial in part because Wayne County prosecutors did not disclose they’d received anonymous tips from Bentley in 1996 identifying her ex-boyfriend as Brown’s killer cwilliams@detroitnews com (313) 222-2311 Staff Writer George Hunter contributed 2017 02 02 00 22 Cand ce W
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South African Protesters say EU is Dumping Low-cost Chickens
Workers and managers in South Africa s chicken industry have marched to the office of the European Union delegation alleging their livelihoods are in jeopardy because of allegedly illegal dumping of EU chicken meat in the local market The protest in Pretoria on Wednesday follows plans by RCL Foods and other chicken producers to cut several thousand jobs citing the impact of low-cost chickens from Europe Protesters want the South African government to impose tariffs on chicken imports from Europe to help protect the local industry EU trade officials deny any dumping saying EU imports are legal They say chicken imports from Europe are not the main cause of the protesters problems and that South Africa needs to improve the efficiency of its chicken industry 2017 02 02 00 22 www agweb com
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White House snags Snyder aide Jarrod Agen
Gov Rick Snyder’s chief of staff is leaving Michigan for a job in President Donald Trump’s White House Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday announced the appointment of Jarrod Agen as his director of communications Agen will also serve as a deputy assistant to president according to a White House release Agen joined the Snyder administration in early 2014 as communications director and became the Republican governor’s full-time chief of staff in January 2016 He previously served as deputy press secretary for the Department of Homeland Security and held communications roles with the federal Environmental Protection Agency and U S Department of State “Jarrod’s experience at both the state and federal level brings an unmatched perspective to our office ” Pence said in a statement announcing the hire “Having worked on the ground in several states throughout our country he mixes an outside-of-Washington approach with high-level federal experience ” Agen began his career working for the MSNBC cable news network He later served in communications roles for Mayor Rudy Giuliani in New York Sharron Angle in Nevada and Steve Poizner in California The White House release noted that Agen took over as Snyder’s chief of staff shortly after the governor declared a state of emergency due to the ongoing water contamination crisis in Flint where residents continue to rely on bottled and filtered water Snyder had tapped Agen for the position in August 2015 shortly before the crisis made national news “Over the past year Agen helped manage the state through one of the most complex crises in America overseeing the emergency response communications and the recovery efforts for Flint ” the White House said Snyder is not immediately naming a new chief of staff according to spokeswoman Anna Heaton The governor who is in Israel on a trade mission congratulated Agen on his new role with the Trump administration "Jarrod joined the Reinvention Team in 2014 and got right to work on major initiatives that have been key in our state s turnaround such as Detroit s Grand Bargain and the city s historic exit from bankruptcy ” Snyder said in a statement "As chief of staff Jarrod helped guide our team through times of crisis His calm leadership and steady influence were invaluable and he will be missed in Michigan ” Snyder did not endorse Trump in the general election but has often touted his working relationship with Pence the former governor of Indiana "I look forward to working with Jarrod in his new role ” Snyder continued “Our loss is a great gain for Vice President Pence and the Trump administration " 2017 02 02 00 21 Jona han Oos ng rss eeds de ro news com
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Families of 3 Texas college softball players killed in crash to sue bus company
Families of three of the North Central Texas College softball players killed when an 18-wheeler crossed a median and struck their bus plan to sue the bus maker the Herald Democrat reported The families plan to sue Champion Bus in an Oklahoma court for the unsafe construction of the bus Dallas attorney Todd Tracy told the Herald Democrat Tracy said the deaths and injuries would not have happened if the bus had been better built with more crash-resistant and absorbent materials He did note that such measures were not legally required "How about a moral requirement? " Tracy said "The vast majority of safety standards in the country today that the vehicle industry sets they aren t required to do it They just do it because they understand that people get in their vehicles and lives are at stake " The bus did have seatbelts for passengers though they are not legally required on medium-sized buses Brooke Deckard 20 of Blue Ridge; Jaiden Pelton 19 of Telephone; Meagan Richardson 19 of Wylie; and Katelynn Woodlee 18 of Dodd City were killed in the Sept 26 2014 crash The announcement of the plan to sue came less than a week after Russell Staley who was driving the 18-wheeler killed himself Staley faced four counts of first-degree manslaughter He was scheduled to stand trial in March A report by the National Transportation Safety Board said Staley s failure to control his vehicle "due to incapacitation likely stemming from his use of synthetic cannabinoids" was a probable cause of the crash The report also found that the bus didn t meet appropriate crash-worthiness standards and that passengers were not wearing seatbelts The four players who were killed were ejected or partially ejected The 2008 32-passenger bus rolled onto its side after the 18-wheeler crossed the median of Interstate 35 in Oklahoma The players were on their way back to Gainesville from a scrimmage 2017 02 02 00 20 Connec W h www da asnews com
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LeBron calls Barkley ‘a hater ’ fires back at TV commentator
CLEVELAND Ohio—LeBron James is done bowing to Sir Charles
After he was criticized by Charles Barkley for questioning Cleveland’s front office James tore into the former NBA star and opinionated TV commentator on Monday night following a loss in Dallas James not only countered what was said about him but he also attacked Barkley’s character for some off-the-court missteps “I’m not going to let him disrespect my legacy like that ” James told ESPN after the Cavs lost 104-97 to Dallas dropping the defending champions to 7-8 in January “I’m not the one who threw somebody through a window I never spit on a kid I never had unpaid debt in Las Vegas I never said ‘I’m not a role model ’ I never showed up to All-Star Weekend on Sunday because I was in Vegas all weekend partying “All I’ve done for my entire career is represent the NBA the right way Fourteen years never got in trouble Respected the game Print that ”
Barkley has never been one to hold back his opinion on James or any other player but the 11-time All-Star was particularly critical of James last week after Cleveland’s star complained about Cleveland’s roster being “top-heavy” and questioning whether the team’s front office was satisfied with one title Barkley said James was “whiny” and “inappropriate” and wondered about his motives Barkley called James “the best player in the world” but wondered if he really wanted to compete James initially dismissed Barkley saying he was only trying to boost TV ratings Barkley works as an in-studio host for TNT However James decided he couldn’t let those comments go and turned on Barkley who never won an NBA title “He’s a hater What makes what he says credible? Because he’s on TV?” James said “I know he wanted to retire a long time ago but he can’t He’s stuck up on that stage every week ” James also said if Barkley wants to continue any discussion he knows where to find him “If this makes him want to talk to me the schedule’s out there ” James said “He knows every road arena I’ll be in Don’t just come up to me at All-Star and shake my hand and smile ” This isn’t the first time James has fired back this season at detractors He was upset when New York Knicks president Phil Jackson referred to his close friends and business partners as his “posse ” James hasn’t forgotten Jackson’s words firing back at him to ESPN as well “I went to see (Carmelo Anthony) at the Garden two years ago when we were in New York ” James said “They played Portland I went up to a suite at halftime and Phil Jackson didn’t say one word to me ” James and the Cavs have been struggling lately as they try to defend their title All-Star forward Kevin Love has been dealing with back spasms and missed Monday’s game and starting guard J R Smith remains sidelined with a broken thumb James insists the Cavs just need to play better and in the interim he vowed not to let anyone criticize him “I’m tired of biting my tongue ” James said “There’s a new sheriff in town ” 2017 02 02 00 19 Assoc a ed Press spor s nqu rer ne
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Trump admin eyes scrapping anti-extremism program
The Countering Violent Extremism program connects law enforcement officials with Muslim-American groups and was launched by President Barack Obama s administration The source said President Donald Trump s administration wanted to do away with the program and build a new approach focusing on what the administration dubbed "radical Islamic extremism " Officials in the new administration see the refusal to focus the program on radical Islamic extremism as needlessly "politically correct " the source said The move could face resistance from law enforcement and national security circles Officials in both areas have consistently said they need the cooperation of Muslim communities to tackle potentially violent persons from those communities The existing program specifically states it targets extremist ideologies of all stripes and works to address the root causes of "violent extremism " "Basically we re looking to support community based programs that provide alternatives to individuals who have started down a road to violent extremism " the Department of Homeland said of the program If the administration completes the effort it will mark yet another instance of Trump seeking to follow through on his controversial campaign vows to target "radical Islam " Near the end of his first week in office Trump signed an executive order suspending the refugee program and the entry of people from seven Muslim-majority countires The White House has insisted this order was not a "Muslim ban " but tensions have mounted since the order s signing and many of Trump s opponents have characterized it as deliberately geared toward Muslims During his campaign Trump vowed to ban foreign Muslims temporarily from the country potentially create a registry of Muslims in the United States and expressed his desire for surveillance of mosques "There s some nastiness There s some meanness there There s something going on in the mosques and other places " Trump said in November 2015 2017 02 02 00 17 J m Acos a rss cnn com
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Study suggests air pollution increases risk for Alzheimer's disease
WEDNESDAY Feb 1 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Air pollution may cause more than just lung disease: New research suggests that if tiny particles in the air from power plants and cars are inhaled they might also invade the brain increasing the risk for dementia "Although the link between air pollution and Alzheimer s disease is a new scientific frontier we now have evidence that air pollution like tobacco is dangerous to the aging brain " said study co-senior author Caleb Finch He s with the University of Southern California s (USC) Leonard Davis School of Gerontology For the study the USC scientists collected samples of air particles with technology designed by university engineers The researchers used the technology to expose female mice to air pollution "Our state-of-the-art aerosol technologies called particle concentrators essentially take the air of a typical urban area and convert it to the air of a freeway or a heavily polluted city like Beijing " study co-author Constantinos Sioutas a professor of civil and environmental engineering explained in a university news release "We then use these samples to test exposure and assess adverse neuro-developmental or neuro-degenerative health effects " he added
The mice carried a certain genetic variation called the APOE4 gene which increases the risk for Alzheimer s After being exposed to air pollution for 15 weeks the mice had 60 percent more amyloid plaque the clusters of protein associated with the degenerative disease the researchers said They also analyzed data on more than 3 600 3U S women between the ages of 65 and 79 years from 48 states None of the women had dementia when the study began After considering certain variables -- such as race ethnicity lifestyle and health -- the researchers found older women living in areas where miniscule air pollution particles exceed federal safety standards may be at 81 percent higher risk for cognitive decline They may also face a 92 percent greater likelihood of developing dementia including Alzheimer s disease The negative effects of air pollution on the brain were particularly notable among the women who the APOE4 gene the study authors added The research was published Jan 31 in the journal Translational Psychiatry If their findings were extended to include the general population the study s authors calculate that air pollution might be to blame for about 21 percent of all cases of dementia The research comes with several caveats First it did not prove that air pollution causes the risk of dementia to rise Second studies involving animals frequently fail to produce similar results in humans
Finch said: "Microscopic particles generated by fossil fuels get into our body directly through the nose into the brain Cells in the brain treat these particles as invaders and react with inflammatory responses which over the course of time appear to exacerbate and promote Alzheimer s disease " Jiu-Chiuan Chen co-senior author of the study said "Our study -- the first of its kind conducted in the U S -- provides the inaugural scientific evidence of a critical Alzheimer s risk gene possibly interacting with air particles to accelerate brain aging "
"The experimental data showed that exposure of mice to air particles collected on the edge of [the] USC damaged neurons in the hippocampus the memory center that is vulnerable to both brain aging and Alzheimer s disease " added Chen who is an associate professor of preventive medicine at USC s Keck School of Medicine
Less than one-third of all U S counties have ozone or particle pollution monitors according to the American Lung Association The group notes that six of the 10 most polluted U S cities are in California The USC researchers said the findings could have global implications because pollution has no borders The U S National Institute on Aging has more on dementia Copyright © 2017 HealthDay All rights reserved 2017 02 02 00 16 www up com
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American Airlines inaugurates office in Havana
American Airlines formally opened an office in Havana on Wednesday and an executive said the company will move ahead with its plans for Cuba despite uncertainty over what President Donald Trump s administration will bring The inauguration came two months after American Airlines flew the first scheduled commercial flight from the U S to Havana in more than 50 years Several airlines had begun routes to other Cuban cities earlier and before that there were costly charter flights The U S company said the flight and the office reflected the company s commitment to doing business on the island after President Barack Obama initiated detente with Cuba Obama s successor has criticized that move and before his inauguration tweeted that he might "terminate" detente between the U S and Cuba "We cannot speculate about what (Trump s) next step will be but I can assure you that we are moving our machine forward " said Galo Beltran the Cuba manager for American Airlines "You are a witness to the investment and how important Cuba is to American as a U S entity doing business " Beltran said the airline is scheduling 13 daily flights from Miami and Charlotte North Carolina to the Cuban cities of Havana Camaguey Cienfuegos Holguin Santa Clara and Varadero A half dozen airlines have received authorization from the U S government to fly to Cuba 2017 02 02 00 14 The Assoc a ed www henews r bune com
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Ann Marie's All Stars: Amy Flynn helps Oakland County students
WIXOM Mich (WXYZ) - A counselor helping students throughout Oakland County is getting recognized for her efforts Amy Flynn is giving students at Oakland Schools Technical Campuses the opportunity to get a jump start on working while finishing school It’s the tools to succeed that are changing lives and our student’s futures “She does everything if something is going on our campus she is the person to go to she is just the most organized and fun loving person about education ” Teacher Bailey Garwood said At Oakland Schools Technical School Southwest students are career focused and hungry for opportunities – making the guidance of counselors essential “She was able to help me get to the light at the end of my tunnel ” student Hunter Spence said Flynn is a counselor known for her years of tireless work ensuring students get on the right path “I can’t thank her enough she was just helping me get a work based learning job so I can actually work make money and learn at the same time ” Spence said For Flynn this is her passion “I think of it as having the opportunity to really change lives I mean really students need that one-on-one in high school ” Flynn said Their success is her joy A student recently visited Flynn who had a dream of joining the military “He came in his uniform really proud and confident really it is what it’s all about it happens every day here ” she said And it’s not just students she’s inspiring “It’s really awesome to see from a younger educator’s standpoint to learn from her everyday ” Garwood said To nominate someone for Ann Marie’s All Stars email annmarie laflamme@wxyz com Subject: Ann Marie’s All Stars Nomination: (nominee’s name) Nominator’s name and phone number: Why this person deserves to be honored as an All Star: 2017 02 02 00 14 www wxyz com
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Verify: Was a child handcuffed at Dulles?
DULLES VA (WUSA9) - Verify - it s a word you ll be seeing a lot more It s part of our promise that the information we give you is complete and factual You re hearing a lot right now about "fake news " "alternative facts" and media spin We re committed to quality journalism and that means showing you how we get the answers and information we provide as well as checking out those stories you might be seeing and sharing on your social media feeds (© 2017 WUSA) 2017 02 02 00 13 WUSA rss eeds wusa9 com
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BREAKING: DRC opposition icon Etienne Tshisekedi dies at 84 in Brussels
Kinshasa - Democratic Republic of Congo s opposition icon Etienne Tshisekedi who pushed for democratic reforms for decades in the vast central African nation throughout dictatorship and civil war has died his political party has said He was 84
His death comes at a politically fragile moment for DRC where he was heavily involved in the recent deal to get President Joseph Kabila to agree to step down by the end of this year after months of deadly protests The parties signed a deal that has yet to be implemented The stalemate already had worried observers and Tshisekedi s death likely will compound the difficulties Tshisekedi had been seeking medical treatment in Belgium DRC s former coloniser He has long battled rumours of ill health because of complications from diabetes In 2010 he walked the 25km from the airport to his suburban home in Kinshasa upon his triumphant return from medical treatment abroad A statement released late on Wednesday by party spokesperson Augustin Kabuya did not state a cause of death Radio France Internationale said he died from a pulmonary embolism It was not immediately clear when his funeral would be held back home in DRC Vote rigging Tshisekedi formed the country s first opposition party in 1982 — the Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS — in an effort to combat the longtime dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko Despite serving as the country s most iconic opposition figure he never managed to ascend to DRC s highest office though he once declared himself president after the 2011 election was marred by allegations of vote rigging by the ruling party
Most recently he had been the current president s most outspoken critic at one point last year accusing Kabila of "treason" for not stepping down at the end of his mandate A court ruled that Kabila could stay on until the next election is held but critics say the court was biased
"I launch a solemn appeal to the Congolese people to not recognise the illegal and illegitimate authority of Joseph Kabila and to peacefully resist a coup d état that was carried out with the blessing of the constitutional court " he said in December in a message carried on YouTube With his death Tshisekedi did not live to see whether Kabila will make good on his promise to leave by the end of 2017 Even in his 80s Tshisekedi had continued his advocacy though he appeared somewhat frail in late July when he spoke at a rally upon his return to DRC after several years abroad sporting his trademark flat cap His son Felix has also become a prominent political figure and headed the coalition of opposition parties known as the Rassemblement I reject these results Tshisekedi was active on the political scene for decades serving several times briefly as a prime minister under Mobutu falling into the trap of many politicians co-opted by the dictator ultimately forced out in 1997
Tshisekedi went into exile in November 2000 after repeated clashes with the government of Joseph Kabila s father Laurent who became president after Mobutu s departure and then was assassinated in 2001 At one point Tshisekedi was banished to internal exile in his home village about 700km west of the capital But he made a triumphant return in 2003 Then when DRC finally prepared to hold its first multiparty election in four decades he initially asked his supporters not to register as voters claiming the negotiations were flawed He later backtracked and announced he would contest the presidency in that landmark 2006 vote but only if voter enrollment were reopened to allow his supporters to register DRC s electoral commission refused saying there was no time Tshisekedi then took on Kabila in the 2011 presidential election ultimately contesting after Kabila was declared the winner "I reject these results and in fact I see them as a provocation against our people " the opposition leader told the AP at the time "His term is finished I am the president I am the one who got the votes of the people " 2017 02 02 00 12 www news24 com
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12-year-old food pantry founder a ‘Leading Lady’ on The Harry Show Thursday
Kenzie Hinson has been making a difference in the lives of thousands of people in Wayne Sampson and Johnston counties since she founded Make A Difference Food Pantry Now she’ll be recognized for it on national television Kenzie will be the feature “Leading Lady” on The Harry Show Thursday at 2 p m eastern on CW22 Producers read about her work with the food pantry – which earned $20 000 from Tyson Foods to help her cause last year – and wanted to share her story of working to end hunger according to Kenzie’s mom Paige Dixon Hinson In its first year Make A Difference Food Pantry grew from serving 35 families in a church fellowship hall to more than 1 000 people each month in a rented space at a former market on U S 13 South in Goldsboro Now she regularly services more than 3 000 people And that’s not all Kenzie’s up to She has Thursday food distributions a food pantry for seniors a weekend backpack program for low-income children and a kid’s cafe summer program She fundraises to pay for all of the food she provides and to pay her rent and utility bills She and her food pantry are partners with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina Tyson Foods wasn’t the last company to recognize Kenzie either Food Lion presented her a $13 000 check and $13 000 worth of food from General Mills Kenzie an eighth grader who is home schooled said she hopes appearing on the show will inspire others to spread kindness and start a “Make A Difference movement: across the country promoting teamwork and kindness Kenzie’s hoping to purchase the building she runs her pantry out of start a food truck to help serve people who can’t get to the pantry and help feed people affected during disasters and to establish food pantries in every school her mom said
Kenzie was inspired to start the food pantry after giving a 4-H Club speech about hunger in her community She said she was motivated to act after learning that one in three children and one in five elderly people in Wayne County don’t have enough to eat every day 2017 02 02 00 12 By Abb e www newsobserver com
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DC schools employee pleads guilty to cocaine cruise conspiracy
WASHINGTON (WUSA9) - A D C public schools employee will plead guilty to running a conspiracy to import some $200 000 dollars-worth of cocaine into the United States hidden in the bras and girdles of women on a Jamaican cruise Rita Gray has signed documents affirming the plea deal which will be finalized at a hearing later this month according to a federal court official in Florida Gray’s lawyer did not return a request for comment on Wednesday WUSA9 reported the arrest of Gray a DCPS business manager last December At the time court documents linked her arrest to those of four other women from D C and Maryland last May In separate cases all four women pled guilty to conspiring to smuggle cocaine into the United States from Jamaica after a cruise on the “Freedom of the Seas” ship Court documents show Gray recruited the four women and paid them between $1 700 and $2 000 apiece to take the cruise and return with cocaine they were to pick up from a man on a Jamaican beach The women provided Gray with their bra and underwear sizes and were each given specially-designed undergarments with pockets for the drugs In text messages presented as evidence along with Gray’s plea agreement Gray instructs the women to use the underwear to get the cocaine off the ship and out of the cruise terminal “Gifts MUST BE WORN Dresses must be worn Walk straight out with ID and custom form in hand [sic] No metal detectors at all Straight shot ” one text message read A customs agent noticed the suspicious behavior of the youngest would-be drug mule Ciera Bryant and stopped her for a secondary search Soon all four women were in custody Gray waiting in the parking lot of the cruise terminal in Port Canaveral Fla returned to D C Gray’s plea deal suggests she could serve all of a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and calls on her to cooperate with investigators going forward – possibly in pursuing other associates A DCPS spokesperson told WUSA9 that Gray remains on administrative leave from the school district (© 2017 WUSA) 2017 02 02 00 10 Garre Haake rss eeds wusa9 com
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Missing Chinese billionaire targeted over stocks crash
A Chinese billionaire who went missing from Hong Kong and is believed to have been abducted by mainland security agents is reportedly under investigation in connection with China s 2015 stocks crash Local media say financier Xiao Jianhua disappeared from his apartment in Hong Kong s harbourfront Four Seasons hotel on Friday and his whereabouts are still unknown Three statements purportedly from Xiao -- a Canadian citizen -- denying he has been kidnapped have appeared on his company s WeChat account and on the front page of a Hong Kong newspaper It is illegal for mainland agents to operate in semi-autonomous Hong Kong and the case has sparked new fears that its freedoms are under threat from Beijing According to the South China Morning Post Xiao founder of Beijing-based Tomorrow Group is in mainland China and "assisting investigations" into the stock market turmoil of 2015 The Shanghai stock index tumbled nearly 40 percent over a period of little more than two months after peaking in mid-June that year Authorities helped inflate the bubble by encouraging investments But when it burst officials quickly sought to pin blame on market manipulators It is unclear how Xiao is being linked to the crash but mainland investigators have targeted several investment executives on suspicion of insider trading since the stocks rout Last week a former star hedge-fund manager was sentenced to more than five years in prison for market manipulation - Anti-corruption drive The investigation into Xiao is also linked to China s disgraced ex-spymaster Ma Jian the SCMP said The former deputy head of China s ministry of state security Ma was expelled from the ruling Communist Party in December on suspicion of taking bribes and "abusing power" Ma s case is linked to other top officials who were thought to pose a threat to Chinese president Xi Jinping There has been widespread speculation that Xiao s disappearance was part of Xi s ongoing anti-corruption drive which some critics believe has been used to target his political opponents The campaign was launched after Xi took power in 2012 and has brought down government officials and corporate executives Xiao is said to have acted as a broker for the Chinese leadership including for Xi s family -- but there were also reports that he could be connected to rival political clans Analyst Ma Ngok said the targeting of tycoons was "partly political struggle and partly because of the crackdown on corruption" He added that some other big Chinese businessmen based in Hong Kong would now be likely to leave "They just don t have the confidence that if something happens in Hong Kong the government or the police is going to help out I think this is the sentiment now " said Ma professor at Chinese University of Hong Kong Xiao s case has echoes of the disappearance in 2015 of five booksellers known for publishing salacious titles about Beijing s leadership One of the men Lee Bo vanished from Hong Kong triggering international condemnation and local protests All resurfaced on the mainland 2017 02 02 00 10 www d g a ourna com
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Washington Senate approves education funding plan
The Senate on Wednesday narrowly approved an education funding plan that seeks to replace local school levies with a statewide uniform rate earmarked for schools
The chamber passed the Republican proposal on a 25-24 vote with no Democrat — except one who caucuses with Republicans to give them their majority — voting in favor of it The measure now heads to the Democratic-controlled House where it will be negotiated as both sides continue to work toward a compromise
Lawmakers are working to comply with a 2012 state Supreme Court ruling that they must fully fund the state s basic education system Lawmakers have already put more than $2 billion toward the issue since the ruling but the biggest piece remaining of the court order is figuring out how much the state must provide for teacher salaries School districts currently pay a big chunk of those salaries with local property-tax levies "This proposal recognizes that every student in our state has value that every child has unique needs " said Republican Sen John Braun the key budget writer in the Senate He said that equal property taxes around the state will be "reliable and dependable for our students " The GOP-proposed levy changes are expected to bring in $2 billion a year for education and the state would also spend an additional $700 million per year to backfill to ensure that each school district has a minimum of $12 500 per student with higher perstudent funding to address issues like poverty or special education Republicans say they can pay for the backfill with existing resources The plan would raise the local school levy in some places like Seattle and decrease it in others something Democrats have argued is unfair "Does this legislation help all of our students in Washington state? " asked Democratic Sen Kevin Ranker "Unfortunately the answer to that question is no " The proposal also delays a deadline for a reduction in the amount of money school districts can collect through local property tax levies The whole plan put forth by Republicans except for the levy deadline delay bill would be subject to a referendum by voters in November Democrats introduced six amendments that were all rejected including one that would have stripped the whole bill except for the section related to the levy deadline delay
The Republican plan allows school districts to enact new local levies at lower rates by 2020 if they get approval from the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction However those additional levies could only be spent on programs that are education enhancements that are not considered "basic education " Under the measure the new statewide property tax rate would be transitioned in starting next year but would not be fully implemented until Jan 1 2019 Democrats have estimated that the state will need to spend more than $7 billion over the next four years on schools While the Democrats haven t offered specifics on how to pay for it they have noted several potential sources of revenue including closure of tax exemptions changes to the state property and business and occupation taxes and a new capital gains tax But they don t seek to make significant reductions to the local levy system The state Supreme Court has said that the state has until Sept 1 2018 to fully fund education but that the details of how to do that — as well as how lawmakers will pay for it — must be in place before the Legislature adjourns this year 2017 02 02 00 08 By RACHEL www char o eobserver com
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Think of Pilotis as high-performance tires for feet
I have written in this space more than once about how you should think of tires as shoes for your car and about how you wouldn’t wear flip-flops in a snowstorm or winter boots to a beach party But today I’m not writing about shoes for your car but shoes designed specifically for driving your vehicle whether around town on a long trip to an important business meeting or a fancy dinner party or even on a race track
The shoes for driving are produced by Piloti a company co-founded in 1999 by a graduate of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California After working for major athletic shoe companies and designing shoes for professional and Olympic-level athletes the car-guy designer decided to create specialty driving shoes and launched Piloti with a business partner
Piloti is the Italian word for “drivers ” Piloti shoes were designed to provide not only the sole and side grip needed for manipulating gas brake and clutch pedals in the heat of competition but to be both comfortable and supportive during long stints behind the steering wheel Pilotis became very popular with professional auto racers and with people who owned sports cars That initial business unit lasted until 2012 Later the Piloti brand was acquired by Canadian Tire a company that dates to 1922 when brothers John W and Alfred J Billes bought a garage and tire dealership in Toronto Canadian Tire not only sells tires and other automotive products but owns a group of Canadian sports equipment retail outlets and a chain of work- and active-wear clothing outlets Canadian Tire relaunched Piloti in 2014
“Over the past two years while the brand was in transition we noticed an unwavering demand for Piloti driving shoes from both professional drivers and general car buffs ” Piloti president Andrew Davies said at the time of the relaunch “As new owners we are pleased to bring Piloti back to market with exactly what North American car culture has been asking for: The only technologically advanced driving shoe that is also stylish and comfortable enough for the street ”
Piloti holds a patent on its biomechanical design which includes a Roll Control Heel design to reduce pressure on the foot’s pivot point while driving The shoes also feature “inside-toe sidewall” cushioning and reinforced lateral sides designed to make the shoes durable Pirelli’s Performance line of shoes for auto racing include fire-resistant DuPot Nomex lining and thread “We have designed every pair of Piloti driving shoes for people who love to drive ” Davies added “Perfect pedal feel and enhanced control are what the professional drivers who wear Piloti dream about Yet unlike traditional racing shoes Piloti driving shoes are also comfortable and stylish enough to wear at the cafe ” Along those lines Piloti not only has updated and relaunched some of the original Piloti shoe lines but at the recent Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in Scottsdale Arizona Piloti’s managing director Michelle Massicotte showed an expanding product line applying its driving-shoe architecture to a moccasin-style casual-line of shoes and even to a luxury line of premium-leather footwear and accessories that are made in Italy “We’re trying to expand beyond our roots ” she said adding however that those shoes continue to be rooted in the company’s racing heritage Also on display were Piloti shoes specially designed and labeled for drivers of Chevrolet Corvettes and Camaros Performance and casual shoes range from $130 to $240 per pair the luxury line has a retail price of $350 to $500 Visit www piloti com for more information Larry Edsall is a Phoenix-based freelance writer You can reach him at ledsall@cox net 2017 02 02 00 06 Larry Edsa rss eeds de ro news com
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Homeless find rest in faith-based shelters more than others
Religious organizations are providing more than half of the emergency shelter beds for homeless people in major cities across the country a new Baylor University study shows In a preliminary study of 11 U S cities 58 percent of emergency beds for the homeless were at faith-based organizations That percentage ranged widely across the cities with 90 percent of emergency beds in Omaha Neb provided by faith groups and 33 percent in Portland Ore “Some cities are able to have much more of a faith-based response than others ” said Byron Johnson director of Baylor’s Institute for Studies of Religion at the Wednesday release of the findings at the National Press Club “Not one size fits all ” The report found that cities with higher participation by religious groups had lower percentages of unsheltered homeless people The report’s findings were based on analysis of data collected by the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development and site visits to the 11 cities Researchers focused on groups such as the Salvation Army Catholic Charities and rescue missions and not houses of worship some of which also provide shelter for the homeless Researchers also estimated that there was a three-year total of $119 million in taxpayer savings connected to faith-based organizations that provided transitional housing programs in those cities which provide longer lengths of stay and include mentoring and rehabilitation “Certainly there is a value to providing emergency shelter beds in terms of everything from the downtown business community to health concerns ” said report co-author William Wubbenhorst “But the real value is the degree to which organizations bring about transformation in individuals ” 2017 02 02 00 05 Ade e M www desere news com
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MSU recruit Rison tries to follow in father’s footsteps
A link has been posted to your Facebook feed For freshman Hunter Rison that’s reality as he makes his way through his first few weeks as a college student As a Spartan football recruit — the son of Michigan State great Andre Rison — there are daily reminders of what’s expected of him Instead of running from that pressure the younger Rison is embracing it in an effort to live up to everything his dad accomplished as a Spartan “It’s spectacular ” Rison said Wednesday his eyes lighting up and a smile stretching across his face “You see him in the window of the Hall of Fame every day you go to the Smith Center and it’s crazy But it’s just a reminder to of what I’m here to do and I love him He worked hard and that’s how he got there so I’m going to try and do the same thing ” Hunter Rison spoke at Michigan State’s National Signing Day news conference one that saw the Spartans bring in 22 scholarship players as well as one that will go on scholarship next January and a handful of walk-ons Rison is already enrolled as are defensive back Josiah Scott and tight end Jack Camper But it’s Rison that’s the star of the group The four-star recruit from Ann Arbor Skyline had more than 1 700 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns in two high school seasons with Skyline and was a Rivals250 recruit And considering his dad is one of the best in the history of the program there’s plenty of expectations “You don’t want to put too much pressure on a legacy too much expectation ” wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel said “But what he’s showing now I’m giddy I’m happy “I don’t think I’m overstepping my bounds by saying he’s gonna be pretty damn good ” DETROIT NEWS Breaking down Spartans’ class: Rison could play early If he comes at all close to what his father did he’ll be damn good and then some Andre Rison was an All-American receiver who helped the Spartans win the Big Ten in 1987 and reach the Rose Bowl He still ranks among MSU’s career leaders in receiving yards (second) 100-yard receiving games (second) yards per catch (third with 20 49 avg ) receptions (fourth) and TD receptions (tied for fourth with 20) The elder Rison also lettered in track (1986) and basketball (1988) while at Michigan State finishing second in the long jump at the 1986 Big Ten Indoor Championships He gained true fame as a standout in the NFL making the Pro Bowl five times His role now is as his son’s biggest supporter
“I call him every night and we talk ” Hunter Rison said “He keeps me level-headed and I love him I just know that I have to work my hardest and do what I’m supposed to do and day by day something good will come out of it That’s what he did when he came here as a kid so I take the same mentality and good things will happen ” Coach Mark Dantonio is counting on that work ethic to show through “He s obviously a legacy here with his father having played here ” Dantonio said “But you make your own way You make your own way as a young person … He s impressed us from day one in his abilities in what he will bring to this program ” Considering the Spartans entered the offseason with only five scholarship receivers it was a position of need in the recruiting class Rison was joined by Cody White of Walled Lake Western C J Hayes of Bowling Green Ky and Laress Nelson of Ft Lauderdale Fla Having already enrolled Rison has a jump on the rest of the class but Samuel sees something different in him It’s not at all unlike what he saw a year ago in Donnie Corley who went on to catch 33 passes for 453 yards and three touchdowns “When I saw him play I knew that he played with passion ” Samuel said “You saw him toss his helmet around being upset with the season they were having So I knew he was passionate about it But when he got here and that first day of early morning running he was trying to push through more than what I’ve seen from high school guys Now you’re seeing him run and he’s out there pushing it “I expect a lot out of him ” Those expectations have a good chance of being met fairly early for Rison something he has been looking forward to since before he arrived on campus “I looked up to R J Shelton and he was really a mentor to me and we talked a lot ” Rison said of the former Spartans receiver “He told me if I come and work hard and do what I’m supposed to do I can easily play as a freshman and I take that to heart When spring ball comes up I’ve got to show what I can do ” Winter workouts have just begun but Rison is already showing what he can do Whether that translates into the career his dad had remains to be seen but the early returns are positive Rison hopes he can live up to the name and he is really pushing to wear No 1 like his father The jersey is still to come The production will be the key “His ceiling – there’s no roof on it ” Samuel said 2017 02 02 00 03 Ma Charboneau rss eeds de ro news com
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Man busted at Kennedy Airport after caught smuggling cocaine inside tuna cans
This is a fishy tale Customs cops arrested an Ecuadorian man at Kennedy Airport after they found cocaine hidden in three cans of tuna officials said Jaime Macias 21 had just landed on a flight from the city of Guayaquil As he was going through an inspection Customs and Border Patrol agents found the tuna and three cans of corn in his checked baggage officials said They took him to a private search room and checked the food The cans all tested positive for cocaine — seven pounds of it worth about $127 000 on the street — officials said Woman hiding cocaine in beef patties box busted at JFK Macias was arrested for drug smuggling and handed off to the Homeland Security Investigations unit 2017 02 02 00 02 Graham Rayman eeds nyda ynews com
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Detroit Camper & RV Show opens Feb 8
Nationwide the motor home trailer and campground industry is coming off its best sales year in four decades — and envisions even more consumers driving away in trailers and motor homes in 2017 “Total sales in 2016 were more than 400 000 units — I get a chill just saying that ” said Bill Sheffer executive director of the Okemos-based Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds The trade group puts on several camper shows each year in Michigan including the Detroit Camper & RV Show starting next week at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi and they’re hopeful for an enthusiastic checkbook-in-hand crowd Sheffer said that in the few brief weeks since the season kicked off he has been hearing from promoters about record attendance at RV expos in Michigan and Florida
Having struggled through the Great Recession — when U S sales dipped to about 165 000 and many dealers folded for good — the industry is basking in the rebound The national Recreational Vehicle Industry Association projects that 438 000 units will ship this year and its recent economic study says that alone will drive about $16 billion into the U S economy Add in service campground revenue and other related spending and the total economic boost the association says is about $27 billion a year Michigan — one of the incubators of the RV dating to the Covered Wagon Co founded in Mount Clemens 1929 — comes in for its share of economic bounty More than 4 200 workers here contribute to the RV and campground industry earning more than $200 million a year Michigan is home to 105 RV dealerships according to the RVIA and including ancillary businesses total economic impact in the state is more than $1 billion a year Dave Rochette president of Westland Camping Center doesn’t want to jinx anything by being overconfident But he says encouraging signals of an upbeat 2017 are falling into place Last fall’s RV show was Westland Camping’s best in years and December was their strongest December ever Even in January — “Usually kind of a dead month ” Rochette noted — the firm sold several trailers one to a customer as far away as Idaho What’s behind the revival in sales and interest? Hypotheses abound: People can’t afford second homes or cottages — or don’t want to chance the real estate market — so they opt for trailers and coaches Increasingly fed up with storing and maintaining “stuff ” we hunger instead for the adventure and experiences of the open road Perhaps the “tiny house” craze on reality TV might be luring people to the idea of a compact place-for-everything home on wheels And the growing ability to telecommute and home school makes geography less of an obstacle to earning a living — perhaps one reason dealers say see more youthful families browsing showrooms in what traditionally has been a retiree-oriented market Even prosaic notions like relatively low gas prices and the tax-deductibility of some RV loan interest (it may count as a second home) come into play Whatever the motivation manufacturers and sellers welcome the new crop of RV shoppers while making sure RV-ing does not equal “roughing it ” Life on the road today can be as cushy as home “Particularly the younger shoppers nowadays want technology ” said Rochette “Satellite solar power adapters you name it Trailers under $20 000 these days can come with a 44-inch HD television “They also want Bluetooth so they can control their lights or even their awnings with their phones ” 2017 02 02 00 02 Me ssa Preddy rss eeds de ro news com
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Wednesday’s HS Roundup: No 8 Robinson stops No 9 Cox Mill; Mallard Creek sweeps Myers Park boys girls
Mallard Creek girls defense: Mavericks held Myers Park to six points in the second quarter of a 69-45 win The Mavericks are allowing less than 35 points per game Wendell Moore Cox Mill: Sophomore scored his 1 000th point Wednesday -- in his 50th game Click here for boys leaders Click here for girls leaders Lavar Batts Jr Robinson: 21 points four rebounds three assists in a 71-63 win over Cox Mill Jordan Campbell Mallard Creek: 22 points in a 66-59 overtime win over Myers Park Wendell Moore Jr Cox Mill: 26 points five rebounds and three steals in a close loss to rival Cox Mill Wednesday Tykema Nesbit West Charlotte girls: game-high 23 points in a 50-37 win over AL Brown
Sage Surratt, Lincolnton: the state’s leading scorer had 33 points in a 90-58 win over North Lincoln. Lincolnton is 17-1.
No. 1 Mallard Creek girls 69, Myers Park 45: Mallard Creek (21-0) handed Myers Park (11-9) its third straight defeat in a non-conference win behind 13 points each from Dazia Lawrence and E’May Price. Janay Sanders and Ahlana Smith had 12 each and Kay’lla Richardson had 10 for the Mavericks. Myers Park got 13 from Princeton signee McKenna Haire and is still in a fight for the Southwestern 4A title. The Mustangs (12-9, 7-2) are just behind Butler (17-5, 8-2) and Rocky River (15-7, 8-2) in the league standings and will be favored to win its final three league games against Independence Friday and Garinger and East Meck next week. Mallard Creek, which plays at AL Brown Friday, has already clinched the MECKA championship. No. 6 Mallard Creek 66, Myers Park 59: Mallard Creek needed overtime to avoid an upset at home. Campbell had 22 points, Demitri Dixon had 16 and Eric Reed nine. Mallard Creek won its 13th straight game. Myers Park (11-10) got 23 points from John Ingram, 16 from Zailan Peeler and 11 from James Ferguson. No. 8 Robinson 71, No. 9 Cox Mill 63: Robinson (14-5, 11-3 South Piedmont) won its sixth straight game and remained in the conference championship race behind Batts, Vi’chon Means (17 points, three rebounds) and Jamari Roberts (11 points, 12 rebounds). Robinson and Hickory Ridge (14-5, 11-3) are one game behind Cox Mill (15-6, 13-2) in the league standings with three games to play. Francis Sio had 20 points and seven rebounds for Cox Mill Wednesday. West Charlotte 75, AL Brown 44: The Lions ran out to a 20-7 first quarter lead and never looked back in Kannapolis. Marcus Talley had 18 points for West Charlotte. Melvin Huntley and Isayah Johnson each had 16 and Patrick Williams -- who had a tripledouble in Tuesday’s win against Hopewell -- had 13. 2017-02-02 00:02 By Langston www.charlotteobserver.com
Trump strategist Bannon’s influence rattles Congress
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It is a mark of Bannon’s extraordinary sway in the Trump White House that a man who has spoken so little in public over the past two weeks is getting so much credit — and blame — for what’s going on. Bannon, senior White House adviser Stephen Miller, and national security adviser Michael Flynn found themselves under intense scrutiny after several news outlets, including the Associated Press, reported they led internal White House efforts to craft an executive order that “temporarily” banned individuals from seven predominantly Muslim countries and all refugees from entering the United States, and a memorandum adding Bannon to the National Security Council while possibly downgrading the roles of the national intelligence director and the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman.
Bannon, a shaggy-haired agitator-turned-insider eager to make a lasting mark on Washington, was also a strong advocate for the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, according to a person who spoke with him recently. That person spoke on the condition of anonymity. Bannon’s early moves to consolidate power haven’t come without pushback. In a phone call Monday, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly and Acting Secretary of State Tom Shannon asked the White House to take a back seat in cleaning up confusion caused by the chaotic rollout of the immigration order, according to two U. S. officials who spoke on anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about internal government discussions. Still, the extent of Bannon’s influence was underscored by Trump’s striking decision over the weekend to add Bannon’s name to the roster of the National Security Council, not typically the province of political advisers. “Steve’s the main ideological mover of the administration. He’s the chief ideological officer and he has a strong point of view,” said Christopher Ruddy, the CEO of Newsmax and a friend of the president. “I think the bond is their world view.” Rarely seen or heard during Trump’s campaign, the 64-year-old Bannon is now a fixture. If Trump is moving quickly to overthrow the established order, Bannon is the one fomenting rebellion. If White House chief of staff Reince Priebus is there to maintain order and focus, Bannon is there to wage war. “He wants to be the intellectual, strategist bomb-thrower,” says former House Speaker and informal Trump adviser Newt Gingrich, who sees Bannon as the perfect ally to the president in disrupting the status quo. “He does not want to be the guy who makes the trains run on time.” As Trump’s chief strategist and senior counselor, Bannon had a hand in crafting the president’s inaugural address and in selecting his Cabinet. He’s bringing in aides from the conservative Breitbart media empire where he ruled before Trump tapped him to direct his campaign.
Trump’s move to add Bannon to the National Security Council has drawn howls from Democrats and even some Republicans. Bernie Sanders called it “dangerous and unprecedented.” Republican Sen. John McCain called it a “radical departure” from recent history. “Congress is beginning to wonder what is going on,” said Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. “When you look at Bannon’s history, I think people are concerned.” Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker was not informed late last week before Trump signed the immigration order, telling Roll Call newspaper he was “certainly, you know, somewhat surprised when it came out.” The Tennessee Republican, who has contacts in the Trump inner circle after receiving consideration to be secretary of state, described himself as “very surprised with the lack of clarity relative to how it impacted people.” And Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters Tuesday that House GOP leaders were not a part of crafting the refugee directive. “As you know, we weren’t involved in this,” Ryan said. “We were briefed on it, the contents of it, as it was being rolled out” — but not before, he added. Former deputy campaign manager David Bossie, who introduced Trump to Bannon in 2011, says the two got to know each other as Trump appeared on Bannon’s Breitbart radio show over the ensuing years. “They believe in each other’s agendas, which is why they have grown so close,” says Bossie. Bannon took over Breitbart News after the sudden death of its founder in 2012 left people wondering what would become of the website. By then, the former U. S. Navy officer and Harvard MBA had left behind Goldman Sachs and investment banking, capitalized on an entertainment deal that left him with a share of “Seinfeld” royalties, founded an institute to ferret out government corruption and created a number of his own films, including paeans to Sarah Palin, the tea party movement and Ronald Reagan. Under Bannon’s guidance, Breitbart grew into one the right’s most powerful voices. Critics, however, accused Bannon of allowing the website to become a platform for white nationalist sentiments — a charge Bannon has denied. His politics appear to skew closer to European, right-wing views than the typical American conservative agenda. He’s described himself as an “economic nationalist” and has long advocated for closing off the nation’s borders. We’re in the midst of an “outright war,” he’s said, “between “jihadist Islamic fascism” and the “Judeo-Christian West.” Critics see more self-interest than devotion to conservatism in Bannon’s history.
“He’s really good at ingratiating himself to prominent people,” said Ben Shapiro, a former Breitbart editor who’s now a Bannon critic. After Breitbart died, adds Shapiro, Bannon began using the website to promote Trump — “and then he was able to use that to enter into the halls of power.” CQ-Roll Call contributed. 2017-02-02 00:02 Nancy Benac rssfeeds.detroitnews.com
Total 358 articles. Generated at 2017-02-02 12:21