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Pope Francis warns against gossip in Christmas address to Vatican Curia

Diane A. Wade
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Pope Francis warns against gossip in Christmas address to Vatican Curia

Pope Francis told Vatican officials he wants them to display professionalism and competence as well as holiness in their lives.

The pontiff warned Vatican administrators Saturday that their work can take a downward spiral into mediocrity, gossip and bureaucratic squabbling if they forget that theirs is a professional vocation of service to the church.

Pope Francis made the comments in his Christmas address to the Vatican Curia, the bureaucracy that forms the central government of the 1.2-billion strong Catholic Church. The speech was eagerly anticipated given that Pope Francis was elected in March on a mandate to overhaul the antiquated and oftentimes dysfunctional Vatican administration.

Already, heads have started to roll. Just last week, Pope Francis reshuffled the advisory body of the powerful Congregation for Bishops, the office that vets all the world’s bishop nominations. He removed the archconservative American Cardinal Raymond Burke, a key figure in the US culture wars over abortion and gay marriage, and also nixed the head of Italy’s bishops’ conference and another hard-line Italian, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, earlier axed as head of the Vatican office responsible for priests.

Other changes are on the horizon. In the coming weeks Pope Francis will name his first batch of cardinals and in February will preside over the third summit of his “Group of Eight” cardinal advisers, who are expected to put forward a first round of proposals for revamping the Holy See bureaucracy.

Pope Francis told Vatican officials he wants them to display professionalism and competence as well as holiness in their lives
Pope Francis told Vatican officials he wants them to display professionalism and competence as well as holiness in their lives

Pope Francis has said he wants a Vatican Curia that is more responsive to the needs of local bishops, who have long complained of Rome’s slow or unhelpful interventions in their work caring for souls. The Pope has said he wants the church as a whole to be less consumed with moralizing than showing mercy to the needy, wherever they are.

The pontiff thanked the cardinals, bishops and priests gathered in the Clementine Hall for the Christmas address for their work, diligence and creativity. Deviating from his prepared text, he said: “There are saints in the Curia!”

He also reminded them that Vatican officials must display professionalism and competence as well as holiness in their lives.

“When professionalism is lacking, there is a slow drift downwards toward mediocrity. Dossiers become full of trite and lifeless information, and incapable of opening up lofty perspectives,” he said.

“Then too, when the attitude is no longer one of service to the particular churches and their bishops, the structure of the Curia turns into a ponderous, bureaucratic customs house, constantly inspecting and questioning, hindering the working of the Holy Spirit and the growth of God’s people.”

Pope Francis also repeated a warning he has issued on several occasions in his morning homilies at the Vatican hotel where he lives: an admonition against gossiping. The secretive, closed world of the Vatican is a den of gossip, as revealed publicly last year by the leaks of papal documents from then-Pope Benedict XVI’s butler.

Using terminology familiar to those present, Pope Francis called for Vatican officials to exercise “conscientious objection to gossip”.

“Let us all be conscientious objectors, and mind you I’m not simply moralizing! Gossip is harmful to people, our work and our surroundings.”

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Claire Davis dead: Arapahoe High School shooting victim dies in hospital

Nancy Clayson
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Claire Davis dead: Arapahoe High School shooting victim dies in hospital

Claire Esther Davis, who was in a coma after being shot point-blank at Arapahoe High School in Colorado last week, has died Saturday with her family at her side, hospital officials said.

Claire Davis, 17, a senior at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, was critically injured when student Karl Halverson Pierson, 18, entered the school building on December 13 armed with a shotgun and Molotov cocktail bombs.

In a statement posted on the Littleton Adventists Hospital’s Facebook page, officials said Claire Davis’ injuries “were too severe and the most advanced medical treatments could not prevent this tragic loss of life”.

The teen passed away at 4:29 p.m. local time.

“Claire’s death is immensely heartbreaking for our entire community, our staff and our families,” the statement added.

Claire Esther Davis was in a coma after being shot point-blank at Arapahoe High School in Colorado
Claire Esther Davis was in a coma after being shot point-blank at Arapahoe High School in Colorado

Claire’s family thanked the community for its support and asked for privacy as they grieve the death of their daughter.

“Last week was truly a paradox in that we lost our daughter, yet we witnessed the wonderful love that exists in the world through the tremendous outpouring of support we received,” read a statement posted by the Davis family on the hospital’s Facebook page.

The family said they felt “truly blessed” to have been Claire’s parents.

“The grace, laughter and light she brought to this world will not be extinguished by her death; to the contrary, it will only get stronger,” the statement read.

Authorities said Karl Halverson Pierson’s attack lasted just 80 seconds. Officials believe the teen was angry after losing his coveted spot on the debate team.

Upon entering the school, Robinson said, Karl Halverson Pierson fired one round down the hallway. He then shot Claire David, who just happened to be sitting nearby with a friend as he headed toward the library. Claire Davis suffered severe head trauma, which put her in a coma.

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South Sudan: Riek Machar’s rebel troops take control of oil-producing Unity state

Roy Siemens
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South Sudan: Riek Machar’s rebel troops take control of oil-producing Unity state

South Sudan’s Vice-President Riek Machar has said rebel troops have captured the key oil-producing state of Unity and control much of the country.

Riek Machar also confirmed that the forces fighting the government were under his command.

South Sudan has been in turmoil since President Salva Kiir Mayardit accused Riek Machar a week ago of attempting a coup.

At least 500 people have been killed since the fighting began with the government struggling to keep control of the capital, Juba.

Riek Machar’s comments came as four US service personnel involved in evacuating US citizens were wounded when their aircraft were shot at in Bor, the capital of eastern Jonglei state.

World Christian leaders have called for a ceasefire in South Sudan, where the population is mainly animist or Christian.

South Sudan’s rebel troops have captured the key oil-producing state of Unity and control much of the country
South Sudan’s rebel troops have captured the key oil-producing state of Unity and control much of the country

The Vatican and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, issued a joint statement calling for the country’s weak and poor to be “spared the trauma of conflict”.

“Let us not yield to fratricidal tendencies in the name of our ethnic differences (which is what God created us to be),” they said.

Riek Machar, whose claim to control Unity could not be independently verified, said that a senior military commander, General James Koang, had gone over to the rebels earlier in the week.

However, government forces say James Koang defected alone and did not take any troops with him.

Unity, a state on the border with Sudan, produces much of South Sudan’s oil, which accounts for more than 95% of the country’s economy.

Riek Machar added that he was prepared to negotiate with the government if politicians arrested this week were released and transferred to a neutral country such as Ethiopia.

Salva Kiir also agreed to negotiations after meeting African mediators on Friday.

But government troops are currently trying to retake Bor, in one of the most volatile regions in the country.

Troops backed by helicopter gunships were advancing on the town, army spokesman Philip Aguer told AFP news agency.

A spokesman for UN peacekeepers Unmiss in Bor said considerable numbers of people had arrived over the past 24 hours from surrounding areas seeking their protection.

2013 Christmas Eve weather forecast

Nancy Clayson
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2013 Christmas Eve weather forecast

The worst weather will focus on the days prior to Christmas as millions of travelers take to the roads and skies in the US and southern Canada.

According to AAA, 94.5 million people will travel 50 miles or more over the holiday season, spanning December 21st to January 1st.

Most of the travel troubles will be caused by a single storm system forecast to affect much of the Central and Eastern states on Saturday and Sunday.

The storm this weekend will bring a wide variety of weather ranging from temperature extremes to heavy snow, ice, flooding rain, fog, severe thunderstorms and the potential for tornadoes. Major airport hubs from Dallas to St. Louis, Detroit, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston and New York City.

Another dose of snow will sweep inland over the Northwest to the northern Rockies on Monday.

The main storm this weekend will begin to put down snow across the northern Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma on Saturday.

The worst weather will focus on the days prior to Christmas as millions of travelers take to the roads and skies in the US and southern Canada
The worst weather will focus on the days prior to Christmas as millions of travelers take to the roads and skies in the US and southern Canada

As the storm rolls out, heavy snow will develop later Saturday over central Kansas and will continue along a northeasterly path Saturday night and Sunday through northwestern Missouri, central and southeastern Iowa and Wisconsin, much of northern Michigan and across central Ontario, southern Quebec and northern New Brunswick.

Portions of the central Plains, Upper Midwest and southeastern Canada could be on the receiving end of a foot (30 cm) of snow. Ice and a wintry mix is also another concern for travelers with the storm from part of central Oklahoma to southern Michigan, southern Ontario, along the St. Lawrence River in Ontario, northern upstate New York, northern New England central and southern New Brunswick. Enough ice can accumulate in part of this area to bring down trees and power lines.

The snow and ice could bring vehicles to a crawl or possibly shut down portions of I-29, I-35, I-70, I-80 and I-90 in the US, and highways 2, 20, 40 and 401 in Canada.

On the southeastern flank of the storm from central and coastal Texas to southern New England, drenching rain will fall. Some of the rain will be heavy enough to cause flooding.

Episodes of dense fog could also be a player in slowing ground travel and causing flight delays, especially from around the Great Lakes to the Northeast.

Farther south, there is the risk of damaging thunderstorms and tornadoes from parts of central Texas to the southern tip of Indiana Saturday and Saturday night, with the risk of locally severe thunderstorms farther east on Sunday.

A cold front associated with the storm system will push showers and thunderstorms to the Atlantic Seaboard late in the weekend. Downpours, poor visibility and locally gusty winds could cause travel delays during this time from Boston to New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Charlotte and Atlanta Sunday afternoon and evening.

Until then, much of the area will bask in record-challenging warmth. Prior to downpours late in the weekend, fog could be a problem for a time from Philadelphia to New York City and Boston Saturday. Gusty winds could be an issue at some airports in the Northeast on Sunday.

Victoria’s Secret angels Christmas songs 2013

Lisa.Felice
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Victoria’s Secret angels Christmas songs 2013

Victoria’s Secret angels Miranda Kerr, Lily Aldridge, Lindsay Ellingson, Doutzen Kroes, Candice Swanepoel, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Erin Heatherton have banded together for a merry new commercial and attempted to sing the famous Christmas carols, Deck The Halls and Jingle Bells on Christmas 2013 occasion.

Victoria’s Secret angels have banded together for a merry new commercial and attempted to sing famous Christmas carols
Victoria’s Secret angels have banded together for a merry new commercial and attempted to sing famous Christmas carols

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Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You sells its millionth copy in UK

Lisa.Felice
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Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You sells its millionth copy in UK

Mariah Carey’s Christmas track, All I Want For Christmas Is You, has sold its millionth copy in the UK, 19 years after it was first released.

According to the Official Charts Company, the track crossed the milestone after selling 68,000 copies in 2013.

Mariah Carey wrote: “Thank you to all of my British fans! Love, Mariah.”

Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You has sold its millionth copy in the UK
Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You has sold its millionth copy in the UK

The Motown-inspired track peaked at number two when it was first released in 1994 but was kept off the top spot by East 17’s Stay Another Day.

It has since re-entered the chart on a further eight occasions.

Co-written and produced by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff, the track first appeared on the festive album Merry Christmas and has generated an estimated $50 million in royalties worldwide since it was released.

All I Want For Christmas Is You returned to the Official Singles Chart in 2007, since when it has appeared in the top 40 every December.

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Selena Gomez cancels Australian concert tour

Lisa.Felice
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Selena Gomez cancels Australian concert tour

Selena Gomez has decided to cancel her upcoming Australian concert tour, saying she needs some time to herself.

Selena Gomez, 21, was due to perform five concerts, beginning on February 1st, 2014.

“My fans are so important to me and I would never want to disappoint them,” she said.

Selena Gomez has decided to cancel her upcoming Australian concert tour, saying she needs some time to herself
Selena Gomez has decided to cancel her upcoming Australian concert tour, saying she needs some time to herself

“But it has become clear to me and those close to me that after many years of putting my work first, I need to spend some time on myself.”

Selena Gomez added that she wanted to be “the best person” she could be.

The shows were set to start in Perth and finish in Melbourne on February 8th.

Selena Gomez is set to tour Asia in January.

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Phil Robertson’s anti-gay speech at Pottsgrove church resurfaced

Sonia Pantiss
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Phil Robertson’s anti-gay speech at Pottsgrove church resurfaced

A new controversy sparked Friday afternoon after three-year-old videos of Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson speaking at a Pennsylvania church resurfaced.

Last week, Phil Robertson, 67, made what some perceived as anti-gay comments in an article in GQ Magazine. The article is published in the January 2014 edition of the magazine.

The Duck Dynasty star’s controversial comments have started a firestorm of online discussion and led to Phil Robertson’s indefinite suspension from the popular reality show.

But the faith-based comments Phil Robertson made in the GQ article were echoes of statements he made while speaking at events long before the show on A&E Networks started.

In 2010, Phil Robertson was the keynote speaker at an outreach dinner at the Berean Bible Church, 2675 E. High St., in Lower Pottsgrove.

The big game dinner, according to the Senior Pastor Jace Erb, was meant to spread an Evangelistic message.

Jace Erb said the dinner and outreach sessions are meant to bring people into church who normally does not attend.

In 2010, Phil Robertson was the keynote speaker at an outreach dinner at the Berean Bible Church in Lower Pottsgrove
In 2010, Phil Robertson was the keynote speaker at an outreach dinner at the Berean Bible Church in Lower Pottsgrove

Phil Robertson spoke at the church on February 5 and February 6 of 2010.

“At the time, I was able to reach [ Phil Robertson] directly,” Jace Erb said.

Pastor Jace Erb said more than 1,000 people bought $5 tickets for the 2010 dinner when they heard Phil Robertson was a featured speaker.

According to Jace Erb, even before the show began, Phil Robertson was very well known in the hunting community.

In 1973, Robertson founded the Duck Commander Co., which designs and manufactures duck calls.

“I had not heard him speak live, but I had seen a video,” Jace Erb said about hearing Phil Robertson’s message before extending the invitation to him to come speak.

Once Jace Erb announced Phil Robertson was coming to speak, he said the tickets were gone in approximately 15 minutes.

During the 50-minute talk three years ago, Phil Robertson spoke about what happens when people refuse to believe God exists.

“They will dishonor their bodies with one another. Degrade each other,” Phil Robertson said to nearly 500 people gathered at the dinner.

“Women with women. Men with men. They committed indecent acts with one another.”

Despite the growing negative attention Phil Robertson is facing after his comments, Jace Erb said he would still invite him to speak again.

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Phil Robertson suspension: Petition websites call for A&E boycott over Duck Dynasty move

Sonia Pantiss
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Phil Robertson suspension: Petition websites call for A&E boycott over Duck Dynasty move

A&E Networks still remains quiet as it receives hundreds of thousands of petitions against its decision to suspend Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson.

Since its Wednesday decision to “indefinitely” suspend Phil Robertson, A&E has yet to publicly clarify what the future of Duck Dynasty reality show might be, what they’ll do with their block of reruns, or even what it really means to be “indefinitely” suspended.

The network’s lack of communication has done nothing to stem the tide of detractors who strongly disagree with its decision to put Phil Robertson on the bench over anti-gay remarks quoted in GQ magazine.

A Change.org petition demanding that Phil Robertson be reinstated and the network issue an apology was steadily climbing toward 100,000 signatures Friday.

A separate petition at a website called IStandWithPhil.com makes a similar appeal. Hosted by the online community Faith Driven Consumers, the website helps its members spend their money with companies that fall in line with their spiritual beliefs. The petition on IStandWithPhil.com had surpassed 130,000 signatures by Friday evening.

A&E Networks still remains quiet as it receives hundreds of thousands of petitions against its decision to suspend Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson
A&E Networks still remains quiet as it receives hundreds of thousands of petitions against its decision to suspend Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson

Those who’ve signed the IStandWithPhil.com petition are asking for their “views (to) be treated with equality and respect in America’s rich rainbow of diversity,” and for the “network to immediately reinstate Mr. Robertson to <<Duck Dynasty>>, and to formally apologize to him, his family, and the millions of viewers who tune in every week, stand by him, and share his worldview”.

“While the LGBT community may be offended by his opposing viewpoint, your rash, discriminatory, and unfair treatment toward Mr. Robertson – a recognized symbol of the faith community – is a slap in the face to Faith Driven Consumers and everyday Americans alike.”

Both websites are urging people not to watch A&E programming in the meantime.

So far, the number of petitioners doesn’t compare with the millions that Duck Dynasty has drawn to A&E – its fourth-season premiere in August set a record with 11.8 million watching, and the season finale in October brought in 8.4 million – but those signatures would give any network exec flop sweat. Especially when the rest of the Robertson family has stoked the fire with a statement that suggests the future of the show might be in jeopardy.

“We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm,” the Robertson family said in a statement.

“We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of <<Duck Dynasty>>.”

A person with close ties to A&E noted that the Robertson family is under contract, thereby reducing the chances that the family will show up on another channel anytime soon.

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Lam Kok: Chinese billionaire dead in helicopter crash after French vineyard sale

Nancy Clayson
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Lam Kok: Chinese billionaire dead in helicopter crash after French vineyard sale

Chinese billionaire Lam Kok is feared dead in a helicopter crash that happened as he was surveying his newly-purchased vineyard in south-west France.

The helicopter, carrying the billionaire and his 12-year-old son, the chateau’s ex-owner James Gregoire and an interpreter, came down in the river Dordogne.

Police have found the wreckage but have not yet been able to locate all of the missing passengers.

The sale of the Bordeaux vineyard had received much local publicity.

It was believed to be the biggest investment yet by a Chinese businessman in the Bordeaux wine region.

Lam Kok and James Gregoire pictured with their wives while celebrating the sale of the chateau
Lam Kok and James Gregoire pictured with their wives while celebrating the sale of the chateau

There had been celebrations at the 16th Century Chateau de la Riviere estate on Friday when its sale for an undisclosed sum to Lam Kok was confirmed.

The 46-year-old Hong Kong-based tycoon, who specializes in fine teas, had plans to turn the 160-acre estate into a tea and wine tasting centre.

After the introductions and a news conference, the former owner, James Gregoire, offered to give Lam Kok an aerial tour of the estate by helicopter.

An AFP photographer at the event said Lam Kok’s wife pulled out at the last moment, saying she was “scared of helicopters”.

James Gregoire flew the helicopter; a short time later locals reported seeing it crash into the river.

The Chinese embassy in Paris is sending consular officials to the scene.

China has recently become the largest export destination for Bordeaux wines and over the past four years, dozens of French chateaux have been bought by Chinese investors.

Thailand’s opposition to boycott snap elections

Diane A. Wade
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Thailand’s opposition to boycott snap elections

Thailand’s main opposition party has decided to boycott snap elections set for February 2, 2014.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva told a news conference it would not be fielding candidates, saying: “Thai politics is at a failed stage.”

PM Yingluck Shinawatra called the election earlier this month in a bid to end weeks of mass protests.

The head of the Thai army has warned the country’s political divisions could “trigger a civil war”.

General Prayuth Chan-ocha has proposed a “people’s assembly” – made up of civilians from both sides, not the leaders, to heal the divisions.

The opposition-backed protests in Bangkok have caused Thailand’s most serious political turmoil since 2010.

Yingluck Shinawatra won the last elections in 2011, but protesters say her brother – the controversial ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra – remains in charge.

At his news conference, Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters his party had agreed it would not field candidates in the snap elections.

Thailand's main opposition party has decided to boycott snap elections set for February
Thailand’s main opposition party has decided to boycott snap elections set for February

“The Thai people have lost their faith in the democratic system,” he said.

The prime minister dissolved parliament and called the election on December 9 in a bid, she said, to avoid violence on the streets and “to give back the power to the Thai people”.

Her Pheu Thai party has a majority in parliament, and draws significant support from Thailand’s rural areas. It is seen as well-placed to win February’s election.

General Prayuth Chan-ocha said he was deeply concerned by the latest crisis, with divisions not just in Bangkok but across the whole country.

“The situation could trigger a civil war,” he told the Bangkok Post.

Setting out his vision of a “people’s assembly”, he said it should be made up of people from both sides of the political divide – known as the “red shirts”, those who support Thaksin Shinawatra, and the “yellow shirts”, those who oppose him.

“It must be from a neutral group and comprise non-core representatives of all colors, and all color leaders must be excluded,” he said.

General Prayuth Chan-ocha did not give details on how or when the assembly would be set up, but said any proposal “must come from a public consensus and the public must brainstorm how to reach that consensus”.

He stressed his grouping would be different to the “people’s council” proposed by the opposition.

“The people’s assembly must not be organized or sponsored by any conflicting group, as it would not be accepted by the other side,” he said.

His comments came after a defense council meeting on Friday to discuss the February 2 election.

Defense spokesman Col Thanatip Sawangsaeng said the army “is ready to support the Election Commission in organizing the elections when asked”.

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Lockerbie bombing 25th anniversary marked in US and UK

Roy Siemens
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Lockerbie bombing 25th anniversary marked in US and UK

The UK and the US are holding memorial services to mark the 25th anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing in which 270 people were killed.

A wreath-laying and church service will be held in the south of Scotland town which was devastated when Pan Am flight 103 was blown from the skies in 1988.

Events will also take place in London and near Washington DC.

It emerged on Friday that the family of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi want to appeal against his conviction.

Among the gatherings marking the anniversary of Britain’s worst-ever terrorist attack is a remembrance service being staged at Westminster Abbey in London.

In the US, a ceremony will take place at the memorial cairn in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington DC.

The Lockerbie bombing remains the deadliest act of terrorism ever committed in the UK and until the attacks of 9/11 it was also responsible for the biggest single loss of American lives in such an attack.

The UK and the US are holding memorial services to mark the 25th anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing in which 270 people were killed
The UK and the US are holding memorial services to mark the 25th anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing in which 270 people were killed

The Boeing 747 was just over half an hour into its flight from London to New York when it exploded, seconds before 19:03 UK time, on December 21, 1988.

All 243 passengers and 16 crew died, and a further 11 people were killed in their homes when wreckage hit the ground in Lockerbie.

The majority of the passengers and crew on board the aircraft were US citizens.

In the US, a service of “hope and remembrance” is planned at the Hendricks Chapel of Syracuse University in New York state, which lost 35 students who had been studying at its London campus. The service will be followed by a procession to its Wall of Remembrance.

A further service will also take place at the university’s Lubin House in New York.

Events at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia will centre on its Pan Am 103 Memorial Cairn.

It is made of 270 blocks of Scottish sandstone – one for each of the victims of the bombing.

Events in Lockerbie will see a wreath-laying at the Dryfesdale Cemetery in the afternoon with a service at the Dryfesdale Church in the evening which will have the theme of “looking forward”.

One man, Libyan Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, was convicted of the bombing at a special Scottish court sitting in the Netherlands in 2001.

He was released from jail on compassionate grounds in 2009 after he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi died at his home in Tripoli last year.

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Winter Solstice 2013: History and traditions

James J. Williams
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Winter Solstice 2013: History and traditions

As the Northern Hemisphere tilts 23.5 degrees away from the sun on December 21, winter will officially be here.

While the occasion might not sound like cause for celebration, the winter solstice is the source of many festive traditions.

Solstice means “standing still sun” in Latin since the sun seems to remain in the same spot throughout the day. It’s believed the tradition of celebrating the solstice started with the fear that the fading light of the sun wouldn’t return unless people kept watch and celebrated throughout the night.

One tradition observed in Northern Europe during the winter solstice was to burn a Yule log all night. What was reason for the nightlong fire? To cleanse the air of the previous year’s events. The log’s ashes were then collected and saved, because people believed they had medicinal uses and could guard against evil.

While we use the winter solstice to mark the beginning of winter, during pre-medieval times Celtic Brits and Gaelic Europeans regarded the solstice as the end of the winter season. Their reasoning? Following the shortest day of the year, the days actually start becoming longer. They would have a feast to celebrate, which often included a Yule log cake.

As the Northern Hemisphere tilts 23.5 degrees away from the sun on December 21, winter will officially be here
As the Northern Hemisphere tilts 23.5 degrees away from the sun on December 21, winter will officially be here

In ancient Rome, the winter solstice was observed with a festival called Saturnalia. Servants would dine with their masters and a mock king would be elected to oversee the festivities. To mark the occasion, schools would close and people would parade through the streets.

While Stonehenge was built for the summer solstice, Newgrange in Ireland was made for the winter solstice. At 10 a.m. when the sun is brightest, rays of light shine through its dome’s small passageway – the only time when engravings on the wall called the Triple Spiral become illuminated without artificial light. Fun fact: Newgrange is older than both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, built around 3200 B.C. during the neolithic period.

The winter solstice may be the darkest day of the year, but it’s not usually the coldest. Since oceans are slow to warm and cool, they still maintain some of the warmth of summer in December. The coldest days of winter usually follow a month and a half later.

It’s believed that the December 25 date of Christmas was derived from the winter solstice. Eastern churches traditionally celebrated Christmas on January 6 (what’s known as the Epiphany). As Christmas celebrations moved west, early church leaders attempted to attract pagans to Christianity by adding Christian meaning to the winter solstice celebrations. These December celebrations eventually became the new date for Christmas.

Turkey corruption scandal: Two ministers’ sons charged

Diane A. Wade
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Turkey corruption scandal: Two ministers’ sons charged

The sons of two ministers have been charged in Turkey in connection with a huge corruption investigation.

The head of the state-owned bank and at least a dozen other people also face charges.

The suspects are accused of abusing their power by taking or facilitating bribes.

PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has denounced the investigation as a “dirty operation” against his government.

The controversial arrests began on Tuesday when police launched a series of dawn raids in Istanbul and Ankara.

On Thursday the head of Istanbul’s police was forced from his position, and more than 30 senior police officers have reportedly been sacked.

The sons of two ministers have been charged in Turkey in connection with a huge corruption investigation
The sons of two ministers have been charged in Turkey in connection with a huge corruption investigation

The corruption investigation has targeted people close to Receo Tayyip Erdogan’s administration.

Baris Guler, the son of Interior Minister Muammer Guler and Kaan Caglayan, son of Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan was among those detained, as is the chief executive of the state-owned Halkbank, Suleyman Aslan.

They were put under formal arrest on Saturday morning.

The son of a third minister – Environment and Urban Planning Minister Erdogan Bayraktar – was among those released after hours of questioning.

Commentators in Turkey report that the arrests and firings reflect a feud within Turkey’s ruling AK Party between those who back Recep Tayyip Erdogan and supporters of Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic scholar living in exile in the US.

Members of Fethullah Gulen’s Hizmet movement are said to hold influential positions in institutions such as the police, the judiciary and the AK Party itself.

Opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu has accused Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government of trying to cover up the scandal.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the Republican People’s Party, called for ministers implicated in the investigation to be sacked.

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China accuses Japan of military expansion

Roy Siemens
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China accuses Japan of military expansion

China is accusing Japan of using its national security as a pretext for military expansion.

China’s Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said in a statement that the move would increase regional tensions, state news agency Xinhua reported.

Earlier this week, Japan said it would buy advanced equipment including drones and amphibious vehicles.

It comes as Tokyo is embroiled in a bitter row with Beijing over islands in the East China Sea that both claim.

“China is firmly opposed to Japan’s relevant actions,” said Geng Yansheng.

China is accusing Japan of using its national security as a pretext for military expansion
China is accusing Japan of using its national security as a pretext for military expansion

The statement said Japan’s security policy caused “great concerns” among neighboring countries.

The announcement of more Japanese military spending came weeks after China established an air defense identification zone over a swathe of the East China Sea, including islands controlled by Japan.

Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe says he wants his country to broaden the scope of activities performed by the military – something currently tightly controlled by the post-war constitution.

Over the five years, Japan plans to buy anti-missile destroyers, submarines, 52 amphibious vehicles, surveillance drones, US fighter planes and 17 Boeing Osprey aircraft, capable of vertical take-off.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Japan ranks fifth in the world for military spending while China is in second place behind the US.

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Barack Obama end of year news conference: NSA spying could be reviewed

Diane A. Wade
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Barack Obama end of year news conference: NSA spying could be reviewed

President Barack Obama has suggested at his end-of-year news conference there may be a review of surveillance by the National Security Agency (NSA) in the wake of a series of spying revelations.

Barack Obama said in “light of disclosures that have taken place” and public concerns about the programmes “there may be another way of skinning the cat”.

However, the president said ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden had caused “unnecessary damage” by leaking documents.

He declined to say whether or not Edward Snowden could be offered an amnesty.

Edward Snowden fled the US in late May, taking a huge cache of secret documents with him. He faces espionage charges in the US and has been granted temporary asylum in Russia.

Barack Obama has suggested there may be a review of surveillance by the NSA in the wake of a series of spying revelations
Barack Obama has suggested there may be a review of surveillance by the NSA in the wake of a series of spying revelations

“There are ways we can do it, potentially, that gives people greater assurance that there are checks and balances, that there’s sufficient oversight and sufficient transparency,” Barack Obama said.

He said that programmes like the bulk collection of phone records “could be redesigned in ways that give you the same information when you need it without creating these potentials for abuse”.

Barack Obama said he would make a “definitive statement” in January about recommendations by the White House panel.

“I have confidence in the fact that the NSA is not engaging in domestic surveillance or snooping around,” he added.

“We may have to refine this further to give people more confidence. And I’m going to be working very hard on doing that.”

On the subject of possibly granting Edward Snowden an amnesty, Barack Obama said: “I will leave it up to the courts and the attorney general to weigh in on Mr. Snowden’s case.”

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Mexico: President Enrique Pena Nieto signs oil and gas law

Diane A. Wade
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Mexico: President Enrique Pena Nieto signs oil and gas law

Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto has signed a controversial law that allows foreign companies to drill for oil for the first time since the sector was nationalized in 1938.

The legislation was passed by Congress last week and ratified by a majority of Mexican states.

Enrique Pena Nieto says the reform will help Mexico attract the investment needed to boost its falling oil output.

The opposition says it damages national interests.

The legislation changes three articles in the Mexican constitution and allows foreign investment in oil, gas and electricity.

Private companies will be allowed to sign contracts to drill for oil and gas with state-controlled firm Pemex, which will get a share of the profits
Private companies will be allowed to sign contracts to drill for oil and gas with state-controlled firm Pemex, which will get a share of the profits

Private companies will be allowed to sign contracts to drill for oil and gas with state-controlled firm Pemex, which will get a share of the profits.

“This is the beginning of a new history for our country. We have opened the doors for a better future for all,” said Enrique Pena Nieto.

Oil production in Mexico has dropped from 3.4 million barrels per day in 2004 to the current rate of 2.5 million barrels per day.

Opposition legislators attempted to stop last week’s vote by all means, including piling up chairs to block the entrance to the Congress building.

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Tom Cruise drops defamation lawsuit after $50 million settlement

Lisa.Felice
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Tom Cruise drops defamation lawsuit after $50 million settlement

Tom Cruise has decided to drop the defamation lawsuit against In Touch and Life & Style magazines after reaching a settlement of $50 million.

Tom Cruise, 50, launched legal action against owners at Bauer Media Group in November over the magazines’ 2012 suggestions that he had “abandoned” his daughter Suri following his divorce from actress Katie Holmes last year.

At the time of the filing, his attorney Bert Fields said: “Tom doesn’t go around suing people. He’s not a litigious guy. But when these sleaze peddlers try to make money with disgusting lies about his relationship with his child, you bet he’s going to sue.”

Tom Cruise has decided to drop the defamation lawsuit against In Touch and Life & Style magazines after reaching a settlement of $50 million
Tom Cruise has decided to drop the defamation lawsuit against In Touch and Life & Style magazines after reaching a settlement of $50 million

Tom Cruise’s lengthy deposition made waves as personal details about his private life were revealed, including his admission that his devotion to Scientology had been “one of” the reasons behind his split from Katie Holmes.

The case was set to go to trial, but Tom Cruise has since managed to resolve the dispute and papers for a lawsuit dismissal were filed in California federal court on Friday.

According to The Hollywood Reporter,  the terms of the settlement are confidential, although each party will be responsible for its own legal costs.

Kanye West blames Chicago Bulls for ending Michael Jordan’s career in new song

Lisa.Felice
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Kanye West blames Chicago Bulls for ending Michael Jordan’s career in new song

In a new song, Kanye West blamed Chicago Bulls for ending Michael Jordan’s career.

At his Yeezus concert in Chicago’s United Center this week, Kanye West added in a special tribute to the NBA star, harping on his main point: “We should’ve never ever let Michael Jordan play for the Wizards.”

After retiring in 1999, Michael Jordan returned to the league a year later as part owner of the Washington Wizards – a team he’d suit up for in 2001.

“Why did that happen?” Kanye West chanted.

Kanye West blamed Chicago Bulls ownership for their decision.

“When a player that made the NBA wants to become an owner of the team that he brought so much glory to, a team he brought so much story to/a team that has his statue in the front of the m———ing building/But do you know what the owners of that team told MJ? You’re just a player, homeboy,” the rapper sang.

“I’m talking about one of the most important people in our civilization,” Kanye West concluded.

“And in order to make his point he had to put on a m———ing Wizards jersey.”

Kanye West blamed Chicago Bulls for ending Michael Jordan’s career
Kanye West blamed Chicago Bulls for ending Michael Jordan’s career

“Til I die, MJ represents the Bulls,” Kanye West finished.

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Phil Robertson controversy: Duck Dynasty family considers leaving A & E Networks

Sonia Pantiss
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Phil Robertson controversy: Duck Dynasty family considers leaving A & E Networks

After Phil Robertson’s suspension over controversial anti-gay comments in GQ magazine, Duck Dynasty clan is mulling options as Glenn Beck offers a slot on his startup network.

A&E Networks is facing a cold reality in the wake of its decision to indefinitely suspend Phil Robertson.

The Robertson is reportedly mulling ditching the highest-rated series in the network’s history in solidarity with Phil Robertson.

“They’re an extremely tight-knit family and they’re not going to let this get in the way,” a source close to the Robertsons told E! News.

“[Phil] is the reason for their success-they’re not going to abandon him. They’re also not about to let anyone threaten their religious beliefs.”

After praying on it, the Louisiana family united for a thinly-veiled salvo to A&E in its official statement Thursday night: “We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right.

After Phil Robertson's suspension, Duck Dynasty clan is mulling options as Glenn Beck offers a slot on his startup network
After Phil Robertson’s suspension, Duck Dynasty clan is mulling options as Glenn Beck offers a slot on his startup network

“We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm.

“We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty. Again, thank you for your continued support of our family.”

With the specter of defecting advertisers or a boycott, A&E condemned Phil Robertson by putting him on an “indefinite hiatus from filming”.

A&E holds an exclusive rights contract with the Robertsons, but the network may have no choice but to severe ties, especially since neither conservative pundits nor gay rights activists have shown any sign of losing interest in the flap.

Given the success of Duck Dynasty reality show – Season 4 premiere drew a network record 11.8 million viewers – that would be a devastating loss.

But the Robertsons would be highly sought free agents. If nothing else, Glenn Beck offered the family a spot on his fledgling right-wing leaning network, The Blaze.

“[All the other networks] will fold to pressure,” Glenn Beck said on his radio show Thursday.

“They will all fold to money because they are all in over their eyeballs are debt … the only reason why Phil was put on hiatus and not the rest is because it is a money-printing machine.

“May I suggest: Make your stand. You will never have a better chance. And quite honestly, you’re our best shot as people.”

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Mikhail Khodorkovsky arrives in Berlin

Diane A. Wade
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Mikhail Khodorkovsky arrives in Berlin

Mikhail Khodorkovsky flew to Berlin on board of a private jet, hours after being pardoned by Russian President Vladimir Putin and freed from a decade in jail.

In a statement Mikhail Khodorkovsky, 50, confirmed he had asked Vladimir Putin for a pardon due to “family circumstances” – his mother is suffering from cancer.

The former tycoon did not admit guilt and referred to those who were “unjustly convicted and continue to be persecuted” in his case.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky met German ex-foreign minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher in Berlin, hours after being pardoned by President Vladimir Putin
Mikhail Khodorkovsky met German ex-foreign minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher in Berlin, hours after being pardoned by President Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin earlier said he had signed the pardon on “the principles of humanity”.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former head of the now defunct oil giant Yukos, was once Russia’s richest man and had used his wealth to fund opposition parties.

He was jailed for tax evasion and theft.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was “happy” that Mikhail Khodorkovsky had been freed.

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Edward Snowden leaks: Spying targets revealed

Diane A. Wade
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Edward Snowden leaks: Spying targets revealed

New details of people and institutions targeted by the US and UK surveillance have been published by The Guardian, The New York Times and Der Spiegel.

The papers say that the list of around 1,000 targets includes a EU commissioner, humanitarian organizations and an Israeli PM.

The secret documents were leaked by Edward Snowden, now a fugitive in Russia.

They suggest over 60 countries were targets of the NSA and Britain’s GCHQ.

Edward Snowden left the US in late May, taking a large cache of top secret documents with him
Edward Snowden left the US in late May, taking a large cache of top secret documents with him

The reports are likely to spark more international concern about the surveillance operations carried out by the US and the UK.

News that the National Security Agency (NSA) had monitored the phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel triggered a diplomatic row between Berlin and Washington in October.

The New York Times that GCHQ monitored the communications of foreign leaders – including African heads of state and sometimes their family members – and directors of UN and other relief programmes.

The paper reports that the emails of Israeli officials were monitored, including one listed as “Israeli prime minister”. The PM at the time, 2009, was Ehud Olmert.

The Guardian wrote that GCHQ targeted the UN development programme, UNICEF, German government buildings and the EU Competition Commissioner, Joaquin Almunia.

Uganda parliament passes anti-gay bill

Diane A. Wade
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Uganda parliament passes anti-gay bill

Uganda’s parliament has passed a bill to toughen the punishment for gay acts to include life imprisonment in some cases.

The anti-gay bill also makes it a crime punishable by a prison sentence not to report gay people.

Uganda’s PM Amama Mbabazi opposed the vote, saying not enough MPs were present.

The bill has been condemned by world leaders since it was mooted in 2009 with President Barack Obama calling it “odious”.

The government knows there will be an international outcry, which could see some countries suspend aid to the country.

Uganda's parliament has passed a bill to toughen the punishment for gay acts to include life imprisonment in some cases
Uganda’s parliament has passed a bill to toughen the punishment for gay acts to include life imprisonment in some cases

Amama Mbabazi might follow up on his complaints about a lack of quorum, while it remains to be seen whether President Yoweri Museveni will sign the bill into law.

The private member’s bill originally proposed the death penalty for some offences, such as if a minor was involved or the perpetrator was HIV-positive, but this has been replaced with life in prison.

The MP behind the bill, David Bahati, told the AFP news agency: “This is victory for Uganda. I am glad the parliament has voted against evil.”

“Because we are a God-fearing nation, we value life in a holistic way. It is because of those values that members of parliament passed this bill regardless of what the outside world thinks,” he said.

The bill’s supporters say it is needed to protect traditional family values, which they say are under attack from Western-inspired gay rights groups.

Its critics say the bill has been pushed by some US evangelical Christians.

Holidaymakers and visiting foreigners are not immune from prosecution under Uganda’s existing anti-gay laws.

North Korea: Dennis Rodman oversees basketball tryout

Clyde K. Valle
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North Korea: Dennis Rodman oversees basketball tryout

Dennis Rodman held tryouts Friday for a North Korean team to face a dozen NBA veterans in an exhibition game on leader Kim Jong-un’s birthday on January 8th, 2014.

However, the former NBA star hasn’t convinced all the players on the American team that it’s safe to come to Pyongyang.

Dennis Rodman said plans for the January 8th game are moving ahead but some of the 12 Americans he wants are afraid to come.

Some foreign analysts say the dramatic purge and execution of Kim Jong-un’s uncle less than a week ago has cast doubt on Kim’s future. But officials here say there is no instability and Kim Jong-un remains firmly in control.

“You know, they’re still afraid to come here, but I’m just telling them, you know, don’t be afraid man, it’s all love, it’s all love here,” Dennis Rodman told The Associated Press after the tryouts at the Pyongyang Indoor Gymnasium.

“I understand what’s going on with the political stuff, and I say, I don’t go into that venture, I’m just doing one thing for these kids here, and for this country, and for my country, and for the world pretty much.”

Dennis Rodman, who arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday, said he expects to announce the roster soon. He also said he is planning another game in June.

Dennis Rodman held tryouts for North Korean team to face NBA veterans in an exhibition game on Kim Jong-un's birthday
Dennis Rodman held tryouts for North Korean team to face NBA veterans in an exhibition game on Kim Jong-un’s birthday

He watched as a couple dozen local players took to the basketball court for the tryouts. After the session, he told the players that each of the 12 he chooses will get two new pairs of tennis shoes.

When asked why he liked basketball, North Korean player Kim Un-chol told Dennis Rodman he started playing the game because he was impressed by it on TV, and said he also wants to be good at the sport because it is a favorite of leader Kim Jong-un and his late father, Kim Jong-il.

Dennis Rodman asked all the players if they felt the same way. They nodded in unison.

“I want you guys to do one thing for your leader,” Dennis Rodman then told them.

“It’s his birthday. It’s a very special, special day for the country.”

Dennis Rodman and Kim Jong-un have struck up an unlikely friendship since he traveled to North Korea for the first time in February with the Harlem Globetrotters for an HBO series produced by New York-based VICE television.

The former NBA player remains the highest-profile American to meet Kim Jong-un since the leader inherited power from his father in 2011.

Dennis Rodman has mostly avoided politics in his dealings with North Korea and has avoided commenting on the North’s human rights record or its continued detainment of American Kenneth Bae for allegedly committing anti-state crimes.

On Friday, he stressed that he hopes the game will be friendly, without political or nationalistic overtones.

Dennis Rodman said the former NBA players will take on the North Koreans in the first half, but the teams will be mixed for the second half.

“It’s not about win or loss. It’s about one thing – unite two countries,” he said.

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Nigella Lawson’s personal assistants acquitted

Lisa.Felice
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Nigella Lawson’s personal assistants acquitted

Nigella Lawson’s personal assistants, Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo, have been cleared of fraud.

The TV cook said she “disappointed but unsurprised” by the court decision.

The trial of Francesca Grillo, 35, and sister Elisabetta, 41, heard they spent £685,000 ($1.1 million) on credit cards owned by Nigella Lawson and ex-husband Charles Saatchi.

They claimed Nigella Lawson allowed their spending to cover up her cocaine use.

Nigella Lawson’s personal assistants, Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo, have been cleared of fraud
Nigella Lawson’s personal assistants, Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo, have been cleared of fraud

Nigella Lawson, 53, said her experience as a witness was “deeply disturbing” and she had been “maliciously vilified”.

Following the verdict, Nigella Lawson said: “Over the three-week trial the jury was faced with a ridiculous sideshow of false allegations about drug use which made focus on the actual criminal trial impossible.

“When false claims about habitual drug use were introduced I did everything possible to ensure the CPS was aware of the sustained background campaign deliberately designed to destroy my reputation.”

Nigella Lawson added: “Even more harrowing was seeing my children subjected to extreme allegations in court without any real protection or representation. For this I cannot forgive the court process.”

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