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[] | 2016-08-29T16:48:09 | null | 2016-08-29T17:24:16 | Visit now for the latest non league football news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fnon-league%2Ffive-star-rocks-romp-to-win-over-worthing-1-7549551.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7549550.1472487836!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Five-star Rocks romp to win over Worthing | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Bognor blew away neighbours and big rivals Worthing with a five-star show in front of a 1,006 bank holiday crowd at Nyewood Lane.
The Rocks dominated from the first kick to the last and were well on their way to victory by the time Worthing had a man sent off just before half-time at 2-0 down.
There was only gonig to be one result from the moment Thomas Byrne headed them in front, and further goals from Ollie Pearce, James Fraser (2) - the second of his being a goal of the season contender - and Dylan Barnett made it a perfect day for Bognor and an awful one for Worthing.
The neighbouring sides were meeting in a league game for the first time since 2012 following Worthing’s promotion from Ryman one south via the play-offs.
Both sides went into the game on the back of good starts to the season and Bognor were sixth and Worthing fifth at the start of play.
Pearce was first to threaten with a shot on the turn in the fourth minute that took a deflection and flew out for a corner as the Rocks began by doing most of the attacking.
Soon Fraser went close with a near-post header from a corner that was just kept out by a defender’s block.
Bognor were playing some lovely stuff early on. Byrne took too long to try to put the finishing touches to one forward move - then the same player had an effort blocked after Barnett and Pearce’s exchange of passes set him up 12 yards out.
On 13 minutes Pearce’s run down the left ended with a cross that was perfect for unmarked Fraser, but he didn’t make a clean connection and it trickled wide.
The Rocks’ early enterprise deserved a goal and it came on the quarter-hour mark as Barnett’s long, straight cross from the left was glanced in by Byrne to send the home fans wild.
Bognor were forced into a change when Doug Tuck had to be replaced by Darren Budd, apparently after picking up an injury.
Scorer Byrne was booked for a late challenge on Harvey Sparks on halfway as Worthing tried to break to get back on level terms.
Pearce was close to doubling the lead after a smart 1-2 with Barnett down the left led to him cutting inside and curling a right-foot shot that brought an excellent diving save out of Rikki Banks.
Pearce was just as close a minute later with a curling effort that this time beat the keeper but went the wrong side of the post.
When Worthing did find space for a shot on goal, Reis Stanislaus sent one over the clubhouse roof.
Dan Beck was booked for a challenge on Stanislaus as the visitors finally managed to get some possession in the Rocks half.
Byrne was perfectly placed on 33 minutes to meet a Barnett cross but his low sidefooted effort was smothered by Banks.
Then Byrne twisted in the box to create an opening but a defender slid in to deny him.
Ex-Selsey man Omar Bugiel ought to have made it 1-1 ten minures before the break as Stanislaus played him in on goal, but with only Billy Granger to beat, he dragged his shot wide - and immediately pulled his shirt over his head, knowing what a good chance he had missed.
There was a minor scare for the Rocks when Sami El-Abd left a free-kick as it was lofted goalwards - he thought it was going out but Stanislaus kept it in, but Granger gathered the ball in from the byline.
It was 2-0 thanks to Pearce on 42 minutes. Pearce himself made the goal, twisting and turning in the box and sqauring to Byrne - andwhen the keeper pushed out his shot, Pearce connected with the rebound and put it past Banks.
Worthing were rattled and Zak Newton was sent off in the dying minutes of the first half. It came after he tangled with El-Abd after the pair challenged for a high ball.
Soon after, El-Abd went into the book - rather harshly - for a foul on Stanislaus. From the free-kick, Granger made a good save to prevent Worthing getting one back.
As the players came off for the break, there were a few comments flying around and one or two players from both sides had to be kept a safe distance from one another.
The referee had picked up a glass and a bottle which ended up on the edge of the pitch behind Granger’s goal.
HT 2-0
Walter Figueira came on for El-Abd at the start of the second half - perhaps because the booked defender was involved in a couple of flashppoints just before the break.
Budd almost took advantage of a defensive mix-up seven minutes into the second half, forcing a good save from Banks after a defender had headed the ball out to him as the keeper was about to gather a high ball.
It was a relatively-sedate start to the second half but it was the Rocks doing most of the attacking.
Bognor had the ball in the net again on 59 minutes after dispossessing Worthing just outside their box but an offside flag was up.
Five minures later it was in the net again and this time it did count as Fraser shot low past Banks.
Pearce was keen to get his name on the scoresheet and won a corner as his shot was halfp-blocked at the end of a surging run down the inside right channel.
Both sides made a change - Worthing brought on Matt Axell for Matt Piper and Bognor replaced Pearce with Jimmy Muitt.
There was a bit of unrest behing Granger’s goal with one fan escorted from the ground and a section of the Worthing fans setting off some kind of smoke bomb.
Budd was the latest in a long line of players shown a yellow card foe=r pulling back an opponent.
Fraser ought to have scored the Rocks’ fourth when he was sent through with Bank to beat but he rolled the shot wide of the far post.
The same player saved the best til last when he doubled his tally and put Bognor 4-0 with 11 minutes to go. Again he was played in down the right, but with work to do. Not unlike Gazza in England’s Euro 1996 win against Scotland, he lifted the ball over a defender then smashed a volley beyond Banks and into the far corner.
Bognor weren’t content with four and Fraser almost completed a hat-trick but couldn’t force the ball in at the near post from a corner.
It was 5-0 with two minutes to go as Worthing were robbed of possession deep in their own territory. Sub Figueira weaved his way to the byline and cut it back for Barnett who drove a right-footed effort into the top corner to complete a perfect day for Bognor and a miserable one for Worthing.
Byrne’s solo run might have earned a sixth in stoppage time but he shot narrowly wide.
Rocks: Granger, Sanders, Crane, Tuck, Charman, El-Abd, Fraser, Beck, Byrne, Pearce, Barnett.Subs: Wild, Budd, Figueira, Robinson, Muitt.
Worthing: Banks, Piper, Rents, Wills,Elphick, Metcalf, Newtown, O’Neill, Stanislaus, Bugiel, Sparks. Subs: Axell, Edwards, Brodie, Punter, Fagan.
STEVE BONE
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And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! | http://www.bognor.co.uk/sport/football/non-league/five-star-rocks-romp-to-win-over-worthing-1-7549551 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/21bbfa1816993f986cade3109d40454f63df5d1bd0fe9f8bb8650bc9afc6f853.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:02:39 | null | 2016-08-25T15:30:00 | Visit now for the latest local football news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Flocal%2Frosenior-ruled-out-of-newcastle-trip-1-7544461.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7544460.1472134799!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Rosenior ruled out of Newcastle trip | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Liam Rosenior has been ruled out of Brighton’s Championship trip to Newcastle United on Saturday.
The full-back suffered an ankle injury following a late challenge by Yann Kermorgant in the 2-2 league draw at Reading.
Albion boss Chris Hughton admitted with strong swelling still around the area, Rosenior will not be included in his side’s squad for the trip to St James’ Park.
He said: “Liam will miss out. He is still a little bit sore, we are still having to assess that one and are waiting for a little bit of the soreness to go before we are able to assess it.”
Dale Stephens is available but Hughton is still to make a decision on whether the midfield man will travel.
Solly March continues his comeback from injury with an under-23 game tomorrow, while defender Connor Goldson is pencilled in for a under-23 match next week.
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Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/sport/football/local/rosenior-ruled-out-of-newcastle-trip-1-7544461 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/f16222a10dc69500ea12350523941153faef88e1ec55147dca6f8e4b605972d6.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:56:24 | null | 2016-08-25T15:15:47 | Visit now for the latest education news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fnews%2Feducation%2Fgcse-results-twin-sisters-share-22-top-grades-1-7544441.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7544440.1472135218!/image/image.jpg | en | null | GCSE results: Twin sisters share 22 top grades | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Twin sisters who both go to St Philip Howard Catholic High School achieved some quite phenomenal GCSE results today.
Katherine and Emily Broadhurst, from Lyminster, shared a staggering 22 A* and A grades between them.
Katherine gained three A*s, seven As and one B, while Emily got five A*s and six As.
They admit there was competition between them, but that it’s always friendly as they helped each other revise for their exams.
“We’re both really happy,” Katherine said. “We studied hard together, we made index cards for each other.
“I was actually hoping to do a bit better, the one B is quite annoying.”
Emily added: “I won’t be rubbing it in too much (about doing slightly better). We’re really happy for each other.”
St Philip Howard in Barnham celebrated some of their best ever results, see the full story here
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Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/news/education/gcse-results-twin-sisters-share-22-top-grades-1-7544441 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/83ff584a0b4fe2a5b96fefc6e58124fb7a055e03b694ae8ffc67bd69e578be18.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T16:46:39 | null | 2016-08-28T16:00:13 | Visit now for the latest local opinions - from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fopinion%2Fagony-aunt-column-ask-lucy-1-7542820.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7542819.1472110919!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Agony aunt column: Ask Lucy | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | This is the latest column from Lucy Saunders, who provides a regular agony aunt feature - Ask Lucy.
Dear Lucy. My husband has got this terrible habit of washing his hands lots of times and checking all the switches to make sure they’re off. It takes us hours to leave the house every day as he has all these rituals. In fact, his life has become unbearable as it seems like he has become a prisoner in his own world of checking. Please can you explain in detail, what you think is wrong with him?
Lucy: I am sorry for your distress regarding your husband’s condition it must be an anxious time for you? It sounds like your husband is suffering from an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD. This is a complex condition that occurs in many people. Your husband could have a genetic predisposition in his personality or it could also be a social conditioning due to stresses he feels in his life. It seems he is acting out rituals and repetitive actions in order to block out thoughts and feelings that he is uncomfortable with. There are many unconscious conflicts in the sufferers mind that can cause the OCD and it will help him if he finds an outlet to explore these through counselling or a support group. Your first port of call should be his G.P. who will advise him. This is a journey that affects both of you and I am sure your husband can find the help he needs for both of your sakes. I would definitely advise him to join a local Support Group as this will give him the ongoing support until he feels he has conquered the condition.
Dear Lucy. I don’t know which way to turn. I could really use some advice.
I have been married eight years and feel out of love. I stay with my husband as he recently had cancer. But both myself and my teenage daughter are unhappy in this loveless argumentative home.
What should I do?
Lucy: It sounds like you’re in a difficult situation. I hope your husband has recovered well but this is clearly difficult for you as his illness can make you feel obliged to stay. You say you are out of love but I am wondering if it may be the cancer that might have got in the way of your relationship. Perhaps you and your husband have been preoccupied with his battle. The stress of the cancer plus life’s daily struggles would put a strain on any marriage and I can understand that you may have felt shut out at times. I am wondering if you can try and find the love with your husband that you once had when you first met him? It is very important that you both try and work on your relationship to figure out what has caused the problem and try not to argue in front of your daughter. Maybe the stress has stopped you from spending enough special time together. I also do suggest you could try some couples counselling to work through honestly what has caused the problem together and how his cancer impacts on your marriage and your decisions. These sessions could also be used to discuss your own feelings about your own inner world, which understandably has taken a back seat in recent times. All marriages deserve open communication and honesty with each other and a commitment to try and understand what has gone wrong whether you stay together or not.
Lucy is a BACP Accredited Qualified Counsellor. She previously worked in the media as an actress. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/news/opinion/agony-aunt-column-ask-lucy-1-7542820 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/8ce26ac269981b842d11fbd01ff17751334f63bb6af95a386e4ae4d9deed20a2.json |
[
"Colin Bowman"
] | 2016-08-26T14:46:39 | null | 2016-08-26T14:15:56 | Visit now for the latest sports news - from the Bognor Regis Observer, updated daily | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fsussex-under-15-win-the-royal-london-ecb-cup-final-1-7546449.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7546447.1472217362!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Sussex under-15 win the Royal London ECB Cup final | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | A superb all round performance from Sussex under-15s resulted in Sussex being crowned the winners of the A Division Royal London ECB under-15 Cup Final.
Having lost the toss Sussex were invited to field, and Staffs got off to a great start making 54 without loss.
Sussex wicketkeeper Mason Robinson got things moving with a spell-binding flying catch.
Skipper Tom Clark then turned their innings upside down with a double wicket maiden on route to figures of 3 for 17, and from that moment Sussex were on top. Max Lincoln wowed the crowds sprinting 30 yards to take a high catch in the deep, and it was left to Tom Gordon (3 for 39) to have Staffs floundering on 164 all out.
Alastair Orr completed the job with a well timed catch on the ropes.
In reply our openers faced a real barrage of pace and bounce as Staffs were not going to lie down easily.
The players jump for joy
At 68 for 5 Sussex were having their first and only wobble throughout the whole campaign. However our team is resilient and man of the match Tom Gordon lead the recovery with perhaps one of his most important innings thus far, and against a spirited and energised attack Tom grafted hard making a match winning 68 runs. He was backed up by Oliver Carter (39 not out) who demonstrated a very straight bat from the off. He was rewarded by hitting back to back cover drives to win the match.
Huge celebrations then ensued as Sussex became the 2016 Royal London ECB U15 Champions.
The squad: Oliver Carter - Seaford, Tom Clark - Horsham, Henry Crocombe - Hailsham, Tom Gordon - Eastbourne, Tom Hinley - Lindfield,
Scott Lenham - Eastbourne, Max Lincoln - Preston Nomads, Dominic Morgan - Lindfield, Alastair Orr - Lindfield, Joe Pocklington - Eastbourne, Mason Robinson - Preston Nomads, Louis Storey - East Preston, Freddie Longley - Lindfield
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
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And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! | http://www.bognor.co.uk/sport/sussex-under-15-win-the-royal-london-ecb-cup-final-1-7546449 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/2f828cf63098662d015213b9b48c39f05c22551e847cd24f26246dbf90e18662.json |
[
"Marilyn Hurdwell"
] | 2016-08-30T10:50:07 | null | 2016-08-30T11:40:22 | Visit now for the latest entertainment and leisure news and features - from the Bognor Regis Observer, updated daily | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fwhats-on%2Freview-arundel-festival-organ-recital-arundel-cathedral-1-7550329.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7550328.1472553706!/image/image.jpg | en | null | REVIEW: ARUNDEL FESTIVAL ORGAN RECITAL, ARUNDEL CATHEDRAL | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Arundel Cathedral once again was the imposing venue for the 30th Annual Festival Organ Recital
Organised by the “Plumley Collection”, founded by the redoubtable Nick and Sarah Plumley, this year’s recital featured ace-organist Neil Wright from Farnborough Abbey, exchanging the Abbey’s Parisian Cavaillé-Coll instrument for the restored 1873 Hill organ of the Cathedral.
Neil specializes in French organ works by 19/20 century composers such as Theodore Dubois, Cesar Franck, Jean Langlais and Maurice Durufle. The only two exceptions today were the immortal J.S.Bach and Wright himself, who today gave the 1st performance (and possibly his last) of his own Improvisation on a hymn tune handed to him by Nick only seconds away from the performance!
Organists are expected to improvise at the beginning and end of Sunday services, and it takes considerable talent, ingenuity and daring to create a substantial piece using a given theme. Wright studied both improvisation and composition with some of the world’s finest teachers, winning prizes and performing in many countries across Europe
The organ is known as the King of Instruments, producing a plethora of magical sounds and effects in the capable hands (and feet) of the right performer. Today we were transported into the ether in “Fiat Lux” (Let there be light), the triumphs of “Pièce Heroique” and the glory of “Te Deum” (Praise be to God), as well as the spell-binding celestial sounds of “Pièce Modal de Re” and “Prelude and Fugue sur le nom d’Alain” Even the great J S Bach’s contribution sported a French title “Pièce d’Orgue”
Wright also studied piano, harpsichord and clavichord, and in addition worked as a choral director, organist and singer in the United States, founding and directing Lauda early music ensemble. But it was as a virtuoso organist that Wright earned the appreciation of today’s audience.
Marilyn Hurdwell
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Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/whats-on/review-arundel-festival-organ-recital-arundel-cathedral-1-7550329 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/7cdfd713ac427a1c76be60ae9e3e944f67446d6d45b96db6b98611b5abea152a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:09:16 | null | 2016-08-24T15:55:43 | Visit now for the latest places to eat out across Northamptonshire - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fwhats-on%2Feating-out%2Fas-bake-off-kicks-off-tonight-poll-shows-it-s-our-all-time-favourite-reality-talent-show-1-7542000.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7541999.1472198157!/image/image.jpg | en | null | As Bake Off kicks off tonight poll shows it’s our all-time favourite reality talent show | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Since its humble beginnings on BBC 2 in 2010, Great British Bake Off in the last six years has become a national institution and a ratings juggernaut, with last year’s final attracting more than 15 million viewers and making it the biggest television event of 2015.
And with the culinary classic hitting our screens again tonight, not only are TV insiders predicting it will be the most watched hour of television in 2016 so far, but a poll shows it’s by far and away the nation’s favourite reality talent show, completely outshining the likes of Strictly, Britain’s Got Talent and the X-Factor and well ahead of its biggest foodie TV rival MasterChef.
The survey by digital retailer Very also found that it is the show we are most likely to take to social media to tweet or talk about on Facebook.
It’s the show’s controversial moments, as well as some superb baking and fantastic baking-banter between hosts Mel and Sue, and the wonderful Mary Berry, that make it such a ratings smash. And it seems the show is also having a positive impact on retailers, with some even noticing a surge in television sales ahead of the show’s return that rivals demand usually seen ahead of big sporting events.
“Big TV events such as the Olympics often result in a peak in sales of televisions as people want to feel like they’re part of the action. But it’s not just sport on the box that can lead to a spike and last year we actually saw an increase in searches for TVs in the run up to The Great British Bake Off,” said Brendan Shepard from digital retailer Very.
“With Bake Off now probably the biggest TV show in Britain, we expect to see this trend again this year, with everyone getting ready for another autumn of exciting telly.”
The survey also shows whether it’s Bake Off or box sets, we are still a nation of TV addicts, with a third of Brits saying they would prefer to stay in and watch TV than go out, while one in ten have not left the house for an entire weekend because they are so engrossed in a TV series or boxset.
Game of Thrones was voted the best boxset or series of all time ahead of Downton Abbey, Breaking Bad, Sex and the City and Band of Brothers.
The fantasy smash hit was also rated as the TV show those who haven’t watched it need to see, ahead of Breaking Bad, House of Cards and Orange is the New Black.
http://www.very.co.uk/electricals/televisions/e/b/4740 | http://www.bognor.co.uk/whats-on/eating-out/as-bake-off-kicks-off-tonight-poll-shows-it-s-our-all-time-favourite-reality-talent-show-1-7542000 | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/69b79eacaddb55aab9d5c35fc0714109fde4cfbc2eaaa5146a8ac902630dbf8e.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:46:51 | null | 2016-08-26T15:00:49 | Visit now for the more sports news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fmore-sport%2Fchichester-race-week-is-one-of-best-and-one-of-biggest-1-7542867.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7542866.1472112392!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Chichester race week is one of best - and one of biggest | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | An entry of 401 boats, with 625 individual competitors afloat, made Chichester Harbour Race Week the biggest for a decade - and, according to Harbour Federation chairman Nick Fox at the prize-giving, surely the largest dinghy event in the UK.
The success of this year’s event had much to do with four days of glorious sunshine and good wind. There was a buzz of excitement all week round Hayling Island Sailing Club, host for the Federation-organised regatta.
A bigger, better social programme had as its highlight a Rio-themed party.
The sailing, though, was what mattered most. After the first four excellent days, with enough breeze for good racing but not so much that boats and sailors were damaged, winners in most of the 19 fleets were clear. So although the abandonment of racing on day five as gusts of 30 knots and visibility-reducing rain hit the race area was a disappointment, it was far from a disaster.
As ever, the largest proportion of entrants were from clubs based in Chichester Harbour. But visiting boats came from across the UK - as far as Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Cornwall - and even from France. The next generation of racers was also well in evidence, with almost a third of competitors under 18.
Innovations in the racing fleet included starts for Scows and - at the other end of the size spectrum - RS Elite and XOD keelboats. In between came many of the most popular racing dinghies, new and classic. Biggest fleet was the RS200s, 53 boats, followed by the Solos, 42. And the very mixed medium-handicap class, numbering 40, included Wayfarers, a Firefly, National 12 and YW Dayboat alongside plenty of the some of newest single-handers, RS Aeros and Hadron H2s.
Competitors from the eastern side of Chichester Harbour and further along the West Sussex coast took home plenty of the prized Race Week plates, with four fleet winners.
Competitors from the eastern side of Chichester Harbour and further along the West Sussex coast took home plenty of the prized Race Week plates, with four fleet winners. Sam Tweedle, Emsworth SC, led the standard Lasers; Izzie Lee, Bosham SC, was first Scow; Peter McCoy, Emsworth Slipper SC, was top Finn; and Slipper clubmates John Excell and Simon Goldfarb won the medium handicap in their Laser Stratos.
Plenty of other ESSC members were prizewinners. Previous winner Andrew Gould (Musto Skiff) took second among the most extreme racing machines, the fast asymmetrics; Jim Fifield was second in the new combined fleet of DZeros and RS Aero 9s, Mike Lillywhite and Emma Pethybridge (ISO) were third medium asymmetric, Jonathan Townsend and Barbara Langford (2000) took fourth place in the medium handicap and Mark Riddington and Claire Power were fifth RS200.
Emsworth SC had good positions in several fleets: Pippa and Jeremy White were second and third Scows, while Luke and Sam Watson took second and third places in the Optimists, with Sam Watson fourth. Alex Thorsby and Mike Thomson were third RS400 and Phil and Jill Poyner sixth RS200. Chichester YC’s sole prizewinner was Ian Barnett, second in the Solos.
Itchenor SC provided the XOD fleet, with Jerrold Alexander and Steve Dover winning.
Family expertise showed with Itchenor’s results in the RS200s, with Charlie Roome and Edwina Lister fourth, and Harry and Prue Roome seventh.
Guy Mayger and son Alex from Felpham SC, like last year, both scored the same results, though this time instead of winning their fleets they took fourth places, Guy in the Solos, Alex in the Laser Radials. Club-mates Charles Elliott and Jack Mellor (29er) also took home plates as third medium asymmetric.
The small contingent from Arun YC did particularly well, with Jack Holden and Mary Henderson runners-up in the RS200s, Rob Gullan (Hadron H2) second in the medium handicap, and Jack Munnelly and Mark Nichols second RS400.
Generous support for the event came from main sponsor Bentley Walker and companies associated with the sailing world.
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Share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! | http://www.bognor.co.uk/sport/more-sport/chichester-race-week-is-one-of-best-and-one-of-biggest-1-7542867 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/a274c74ef2acd2e59f6dfb5aa6757c35b638e1f92fcc4fc7f658ee47b78a07fe.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:03:29 | null | 2016-08-25T21:02:40 | Visit now for the latest sports news - from the Bognor Regis Observer, updated daily | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fcounty-championship-sussex-and-glamorgan-frustrated-by-weather-1-7545293.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7545291.1472155343!/image/image.jpg | en | null | County championship: Sussex and Glamorgan frustrated by weather | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Only 19.3 overs were bowled on the third day at the SSE Swalec because of rain and bad light, and when play was called off at 5pm Glamorgan had reached for 149 for 2 – an overall lead of 118.
With one day remaining, and Sussex hoping for a result that will challenge Essex at the top of Division 2, there is a possibility that the two captains Jacques Rudolph and Luke Wright, will agree on a target that Sussex could chase in the final innings.
We need to win games, especially after Essex’s performance against Leicestershire. Sussex coach Mark Davis
Essex’s win over Leicestershire puts them 44 points clear in the race for the one promotion spot.
Rudolph and Will Bragg had resumed on 50 for 1, and after striking three boundaries off Steve Magoffin, the Glamorgan captain was only three runs from his third fifty of the season when the Auatralian seamer got his revenge by trapping Rudolph leg before.
The second wicket pair had put on 67 for the second wicket, and when David Lloyd replaced Rudolph he was quickly off the mark with two boundaries off Jofra Archer. Magoffin, who had taken the two wickets, was Sussex’s most accurate bowler, and twice had confident lbw appeals turned down.
With Will Bragg playing watchfully at the other end, Lloyd continued to attack, and when George Garton replaced Archer, the left arm seamer was twice driven to the extra cover boundary by Lloyd.
The third wicket pair had put on 72, before the gloom descended and the umpires decided that the light was too bad for play to continue at 3pm.
Mark Davis, the Sussex coach was frustrated by the day’s events, especially after two good days’ cricket.
When asked about a possible arrangement between the two captains, Davis said “We haven’t looked into that yet, but we need to win games, especially after Essex’s performance against Leicestershire. We will see how things pan out in the morning, and take it from there.”
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And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! | http://www.bognor.co.uk/sport/county-championship-sussex-and-glamorgan-frustrated-by-weather-1-7545293 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/eff2d32a3f43b6f10b3bd0d2811584d643b8b618c84f98aa1b58344c10766471.json |
[
"James Butler"
] | 2016-08-27T14:46:00 | null | 2016-08-27T15:00:20 | Get the latest breaking news from the Bognor Regis Observer - politics, transport, education, health, environment and more, updated daily. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fcounty-news-traffic-chaos-as-bridge-collapses-1-7547405.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7547402.1472307475!/image/image.jpg | en | null | COUNTY NEWS: Traffic chaos as bridge collapses | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Motorists from around Sussex are being advised to avoid using the M20 if travelling to Kent after a bridge collapsed.
Kent Police said that officers were called at 12.10pm today to a report of a bridge collapsing between Junction 4 and Junction 3 on the M20 London-bound.
Police said a lorry collided with a pedestrian bridge which collapsed onto the carriageway below.
Officers are in attendance along with Kent Fire and Rescue Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service.
No people are believed to be trapped in the debris, however one person is believed to have suffered injuries, not reported to be life threatening at this time, Kent Police said.
Police are treating this as a major incident and the M20 has been closed in both directions to allow this incident to be dealt with.
The scene on the M20 between Borough Green and Leybourne in Kent after a lorry hit a foot bridge and it collapsed. Picture: @emmaraphaelx / SWNS.com
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and take an alternative route.
Highways England has said that the road closure will last until at least tomorrow. For the latest updates, click here.
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
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The scene on the M20 between Borough Green and Leybourne in Kent after a lorry hit a foot bridge and it collapsed. Picture: @emmaraphaelx / SWNS.com
1) Make our website your homepage
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And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!
Always the first with your local news.
Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/news/county-news-traffic-chaos-as-bridge-collapses-1-7547405 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/fa355bdf22cce62769b83da39d663e3078bbed76007ad66229a8696cf88ef2a6.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T12:49:02 | null | 2016-08-31T12:43:00 | Visit now for the latest Brighton & Hove Albion football news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Falbion%2Fpocognoli-joins-brighton-on-season-long-loan-1-7554128.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7554125.1472643711!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Pocognoli joins Brighton on season-long loan | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Albion signed Belgium international defender Sebastien Pocognoli from West Brom on a season-long loan last night.
The 29-year-old left back adds competition to Brighton’s full-back areas, with Gaetan Bong the only recognised senior left-back in the squad, while Liam Rosenior missed the Newcastle game with the ankle injury he sustained at Reading.
Albion boss Chris Hughton said: “We are delighted to add Sebastien to our squad, as the injury to Liam has left us a little bit short of cover in both full-back positions.
“Sebastien has a vast amount of experience having played in some of the top divisions in Europe, as well as in the Champions League. He is the type of quality player we want to add to the squad, and we are looking forward to working with him.”
Pocognoli began his career in the youth team at Standard Liege before moving to Genk at the age of 15.
He made his first team debut aged just 16, and went on to make a total of 46 appearances before moving to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. After 70 appearances and five goals for the Dutch outfit he returned to Standard Liege, where he played 98 times, scoring twice. A move to the Bundesliga followed with Hannover 96, before switching to the Premier League with West Brom in July 2014. He has made 21 appearances for the Baggies. Pocognoli has represented his country at under 16, 17, 19 and 21 levels, as well as making six appearances for Belgium in the Beijing Olympics. He has won 11 senior caps.
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Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/sport/football/albion/pocognoli-joins-brighton-on-season-long-loan-1-7554128 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/07331a4a44805e69d20248dd8c290525b0e30f18132bbfade6ec041ea0184d8e.json |
[
"James Butler"
] | 2016-08-26T12:55:28 | null | 2016-08-25T11:25:19 | Get the latest breaking news from the Bognor Regis Observer - politics, transport, education, health, environment and more, updated daily. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fupdate-man-drowns-in-sea-1-7543319.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7509303.1472142366!/image/image.jpg | en | null | UPDATE: Man ‘drowns’ in sea | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | The ambulance service confirmed that yesterday’s medical incident was a man who drowned.
As previously reported, emergency services and the air ambulance helicopter were spotted at King George V Playing Field in Bognor Regis yesterday evening.
And now Richard Airey, spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service, has confirmed that it was ‘a drowning incident which proved fatal’.
He said that they were called at 4.15pm to Sea Drive in Bognor Regis in response to reports that a man in his eighties had got into difficulty and had become unwell in the sea.
He was pulled from the sea by members of the public before the ambulance service arrived, he added, and resuscitation attempts were made by a doctor who was among bystanders.
They sent one ambulance and four cars to the scene, and the air ambulance was also dispatched, which landed at King George V Playing Field.
He said: “Sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone at the scene, the man was pronouned dead at the scene.”
Sussex Police also issued a statement, which said: “At about 4.28pm on Wednesday (25 August), police were called to assist paramedics after a man became unwell swimming in the sea close to Sea Drive, Bognor Regis.
“The air ambulance landed at King George V Playing Field to provide medical assistance, however despite their best efforts the man, believed to be in his eighties, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
“There are no suspicious circumstances and the coroner’s officer has been informed.”
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Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/news/update-man-drowns-in-sea-1-7543319 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/bb4d82be57140c3c7259c10800ec9458de5f39ac39d0f28f5a26357c15b41931.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:12:06 | null | 2016-08-24T08:14:52 | Visit now for the latest entertainment and leisure news and features - from the Bognor Regis Observer, updated daily | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fwhats-on%2Fian-christie-offers-a-new-perspective-on-tarkovsky-1-7540866.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7540865.1472022877!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Ian Christie offers a new perspective on Tarkovsky | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Ian Christie will be challenging perceptions of the great Russian film director Andrei Tarkovsky 30 years after his death.
The Chichester International Film Festival at the New Park Cinema will be offering a Tarkovsky retrospective during which Ian will give a talk on the man and his work (Saturday, August 27, 4pm).
“I defer to no one in my admiration of the man, but I do think we must take him off a pedestal and have a more rounded view of him.
“I have been involved in Tarkovsky’s work for a long time really in different ways. I interviewed him on his first-ever visit out of the Soviet Union in the early 80s. It was a strange encounter. He was suddenly told that he could travel abroad, and he arrived in London with his minder whom we assumed to be a KGB minder, and he was a bit like a frightened rabbit. He was very self-contained. It was a public event at the National Film Theatre, and people queued around the theatre. The thought of actually seeing him in the flesh was very exciting. People jumped at the chance.
“Really my job was to try to put him at ease and not to ask him difficult questions with somebody in the front row listening to his answers. I tried just to say ‘Tell us what the film process is like for you, how does it go?’ rather than asking him questions about censorship that he would not be able to answer. And he gave me very straight answers, that he had had a lot of opportunities and a lot of support.
“People build up this image of him as beleaguered, censored and muzzled, but in fact he was working in an era where there were incredible privileges and freedoms for film-makers in Russia. He didn’t have to worry about finances. People have nurtured this view of him as a victim of the Soviet system, but I would say that in many ways, he was one of its proudest products. The Soviets really did believe in the art of cinema.”
However, Tarkovsky did go into exile, encouraged by the cellist Rostropovich: “It was a huge decision. He knew that things would be difficult, but like a lot of Russian artists, he was very attached to Russia in a very deep emotional way. He was encouraged by other people to make the jump and that things would not get better.
“It was a very difficult time. At the time, nobody realised that Perestroika was coming. That was his tragedy. I was there a lot at the time, and we didn’t really believe it was going to happen. By the time he left, I would not say he had burnt his bridges, but he had made his decision. And he had a support network in the west. He also got ill with cancer not long after he decided to leave. Even when he died, at the end of 86 (aged 54), nobody knew how Perestroika was going to go.”
But it is important to remember the respect he was still held in back in Russia.
“I was in Russia when the news came of his death in Paris, and I remember the KGM man who was monitoring us just said ‘We have just lost our greatest film-maker’.”
Tarkovsky had been part of the great optimistic era under Khrushchev in the early 60s, but then in 67-68 the shutters had come down: “Party discipline was imposed. He did and he didn’t have artistic freedom. He could make films, but it was a question of whether they would be shown. In the end, he decided to leave.”
It is a fuller picture of the man that Ian is intending to give in Chichester…
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Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/whats-on/ian-christie-offers-a-new-perspective-on-tarkovsky-1-7540866 | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/a63c2200b39c5402885694f6bcd49589d523d2af718f2ab03de766d40a39f966.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:09:26 | null | 2016-08-19T12:00:00 | Visit now for the latest lifestyle news and features from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Flifestyle%2Fwell-proportioned-chain-free-property-1-7530960.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7530955.1471438040!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Well-proportioned chain free property | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | This well-proportioned chain free detached bungalow is situated in the corner of a pleasant cul-de-sac in Felpham.
The property is situated at the end of a pleasant cul-de-sac, Findon Drive, on the popular Flansham Park development.
Accommodation comprises an entrance porch which leads to an entrance hall, a good sized sitting room, kitchen with a sun room leading off and three bedrooms.
There is also a shower room/WC and a further separate WC.
Outside, the rear garden is of a south-east aspect and to the front of the property is a large driveway and two single garages.
An internal inspection is thoroughly recommended.
Guide Price £315,000 Freehold.
For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Henry Adams, Old Bank House, 128 Middleton Road, Middleton-on-Sea. Telephone 01243 587687. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/lifestyle/well-proportioned-chain-free-property-1-7530960 | en | 2016-08-19T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/c5caf0432aa47bc682d4b08bf6e9ea0aa09e3c9c989d41f1d850d485b6cf1897.json |
[
"Steve Payne"
] | 2016-08-26T13:12:24 | null | 2016-08-25T08:53:14 | Visit now for the latest tv and film news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fwhats-on%2Ftv-and-film%2Ffilm-review-cell-3-out-of-5-1-7540251.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7540249.1471964021!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Film review: Cell (3 out of 5) | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Most of us have a mobile phone. We use it every day to keep in touch with work, friends and family and find out what’s going on in the world.
But what if the phone signal was used to scramble people’s brains, turning them into murdering savages?
That’s the basic plot of Cell.
In a cracking start to the movie, John Cusack plays Clay Riddell, an artist who is trying to contact his son and estranged wife while waiting at an airport.
All of a sudden everyone using a mobile phone hears a high pitched sound that turns them into homicidal maniacs; luckily Riddell’s battery has packed up.
Although not dead, these people act like all the zombies you’ve ever seen in movies, running around until someone actually does kill them.
Riddell manages to escape and teams up with a motley crew of people including Tom McCourt (Samuel L. Jackson) and Alice Maxwell (Isabelle Fuhrman).
Director Tod Williams serves up plenty of action, raising the tension, adding a few jump shocks and generally keeping the audience on the edge of its seat.
The final third may well split the audience into those happy with how the story goes and those who are disappointed.
I was OK with the final scenes but if you like all the loose ends tied up neatly then you’ll be frustrated.
The main cast all put in a good shift and it’s a particularly good role for Cusack.
The fact that the story is based on a Stephen King novel will attract an audience and at least give people a chance to make their own judgement on the film. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/whats-on/tv-and-film/film-review-cell-3-out-of-5-1-7540251 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/7f16f5773d5d2fa972f5ef06cdf34a3a31793f2a470400cd743a98913ba63a21.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:08:32 | null | 2016-08-21T12:00:00 | Visit now for the latest lifestyle news and features from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Flifestyle%2Fspacious-character-chalet-1-7530969.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7530959.1471438043!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Spacious character chalet | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | This spacious detached character chalet house is situated in an ideal location in Bognor Regis.
The property, in Pevensey Road, is offered to the market in excellent condition and has been subject to a complete renovation by the current owners.
Ground floor accommodation comprises a spacious and light hall, a lovely lounge/dining room, extended newly-fitted kitchen/breakfast room with integral appliances, conservatory, two double bedrooms and a newly-fitted bathroom.
On the first floor there are two further double bedrooms and a newly-fitted shower room.
Further benefits include double glazing and gas fired central heating throughout with a new combination boiler.
Outside, to the rear there is generous size westerly facing rear garden which is mainly laid to lawn with a patio area and shed.
To the front there is a driveway leading to a garage.
The property is just a short walk from a variety of amenities in Bognor Regis town centre and schools are also within walking distance.
The seafront is also nearby.
Viewing highly recommended to appreciate the high standard of finish this family home has to offer.
Price £355,000.
For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Whitlocks Estate Agents, 229 Pagham Road, Nyetimber. Telephone 01243 262747. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/lifestyle/spacious-character-chalet-1-7530969 | en | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/7dcf7f91747208e766c309083f4e84ec6c333dd48a30617fa976dcdb491c46de.json |
[
"James Butler"
] | 2016-08-28T22:46:41 | null | 2016-08-28T22:04:36 | Visit now for the latest crime news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fcrime%2Fpictures-police-stand-off-against-man-with-gun-1-7548329.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7548324.1472418483!/image/image.jpg | en | null | PICTURES: Police stand-off against man with gun | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Police are currently negotiating with an armed man in a home in Pagham.
Sussex Police said: "Emergency services were called to a property in Harbour Road, Pagham at around 4.10pm on Sunday (28 August) following reports a 72-year-old man was using threatening behaviour and armed with a gun.
Police have cordoned off a house in Pagham after a man armed with a gun was using threatening behaviour. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
"A woman known to the man was also in the house, but she has now left and is safe and well. There are no reported injuries.
"The 72-year-old man remains in the house alone.
"A police cordon has been set up around the house and the road has been closed.
"Officers, including firearms officers, remain at the scene while negotiations continue."
A Facebook post shows armed police in Pagham following reports of a man with a gun using threatening behaviour. Picture: Bognor News and Local Events
There were reports on Facebook that armed police squads were at the scene, and that neighbours have been told by police to stay in their homes and lock their doors during the conflict.
Don't miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
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Police have cordoned off a house in Pagham after a man armed with a gun was using threatening behaviour. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
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And do share with your family and friends - so they don't miss out!
Police have cordoned off a house in Pagham after a man armed with a gun was using threatening behaviour. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
Always the first with your local news.
Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/news/crime/pictures-police-stand-off-against-man-with-gun-1-7548329 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/5ed0c422ffb453b1ebb6c4df394442b3cd84b6629ba77250af117372ef7930e4.json |
[
"Phil Hewitt"
] | 2016-08-27T12:48:33 | null | 2016-08-27T13:05:14 | Visit now for the latest music news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fwhats-on%2Fmusic%2Fadrian-cox-offers-steyning-date-1-7547360.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7547359.1472299602!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Adrian Cox offers Steyning date | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Adrian Cox, one of the UK's leading reed players, is the latest guest at Steyning Jazz Club on Friday, September 2.
Adrian founded the Adrian Cox Quartet in 2012 acquiring a dedicated and enthusiastic following, playing their energetic mix of traditional jazz and swing from the 30s onwards, in the styles of Benny Goodman to Ben Webster via Ed Hall to Jonny Hodges.
Club spokesman Colin Jilks said: “Adrian has toured and recorded with T J Johnson, Paloma Faith and Bad Manners. He has hand-picked the very best from the UK's leading jazz musicians, to form his quartet: Nils Solberg guitar, who has played from The Kremlin to The Royal Albert Hall, George Trebar double bass and a leading player on the gypsy jazz scene, and Mez Clough drums, a London-based player for the main jazz venues in the UK.
“Since Adrian's last appearance at the club, there have been passionate and growing calls for his return, a return which promises to deliver a spectacular evening of the finest music, all tantalisingly wrapped in Adrian's irresistible playing style, with its syncopated fluidity and lilting cadences.”
Colin added: “This September meeting opens our new season and is membership renewal evening, so join us in a glass of fine wine and renew your membership for the coming year: annual membership is £10.”
Steyning Jazz Club meets at The Steyning Centre, Fletcher’s Croft, 8.30pm. Doors open 7.30pm. Information from Denis Cummings on 01903 814017. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/whats-on/music/adrian-cox-offers-steyning-date-1-7547360 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/e470b00be6b113ba509da95eb3a1309a6f7715c864a9af4b28003d2718dfa963.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:49:14 | null | 2016-08-26T12:35:13 | Get the latest breaking news from the Bognor Regis Observer - politics, transport, education, health, environment and more, updated daily. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fcounty-news-police-identify-five-men-who-died-off-sussex-coast-1-7546192.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7542416.1472211299!/image/image.jpg | en | null | COUNTY NEWS: Police identify five men who died off Sussex coast | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Five men who died off the coast of Sussex this week have now been named by police.
They are Kenugen Saththiyanathan, 18, and his brother Kobikanthan Saththiyanathan, 22, both of Normandy Way, Erith.
Their friends Nitharsan Ravi, 22, of Admaston Road, Plumstead, Inthushan Sriskantharaja, 23, of Chadwell Road, Grays and Gurushanth Srithavarajah, 27, of Elsa Road, Welling, also died in the tragic incident.
Police say the men all travelled together to Camber Sands for the day on Wednesday (August 24) where they sadly died. Their deaths have now been passed to the coroner.
Ajirthan Ravi told national media his brother Nitharsan was studying aeronautical engineering at the University of Brighton and was just about to start his second year.
RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling Camber Sands over the Bank Holiday weekend, following the tragic deaths.
The RNLI, working with Rother District Council, says it aims to provide reassurance to the public by providing the temporary service.
A spokesperson for the RNLI said: “The charity will provide a team of five or six lifeguards and appropriate equipment over the Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday – Monday) 9am-6pm on Camber Sands who will work alongside the Local Authority Beach Patrol teams.
“The Royal National Lifeboat Institution offered to provide lifeguards over the weekend and the council accepted our offer.
“In addition to the lifeguard service the RNLI will also be providing a face-to-face team who will be on hand to provide key safety information to all visitors at the beach.”
A Rother District Council spokesman said: “We very much welcome and appreciate the support the RNLI are offering to provide a temporary lifeguard service.
“People are understandably concerned in the light of the tragic incident at the beach this week and this service will provide reassurance to the public in one of the busiest weekends of the year at Camber.
“We continue to work with the RNLI, the emergency services and other partners to identify any additional measures we might need to introduce at the beach in the future.”
The RNLI added: “The RNLI provides lifeguard cover on over 240 beaches throughout the UK. The lifeguards are there to provide safety cover and advice and we would advise anyone who is not familiar with the area to come and chat with the lifeguard.
“Before visiting the coast you can visit www.RNLI.org/respectthewater”
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Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/news/county-news-police-identify-five-men-who-died-off-sussex-coast-1-7546192 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/862a1ff2dc46aec05645f62c021094e33676c2e1c007cff167fa3563f8063df8.json |
[
"Damien Lucas"
] | 2016-08-27T06:47:43 | null | 2016-08-27T06:00:00 | Visit now for gadgets & tech news and features from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Flifestyle%2Ftech%2Fconsole-corner-deus-ex-mankind-divided-review-1-7540408.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7540407.1471967403!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Console Corner: Deus Ex Mankind Divided review | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Deus Ex has you spoilt for choice.
Mankind Divided and so am I when it comes to reviewing the latest Deus Ex game after its launch last week.
There is so much to rave about in DEMD and I’m still enjoying it now over a week into the game.
But there are a number of elements which do not quite sit right with me.
Let’s start with the positives, though, and there are plenty of them.
There is layer upon layer in this game all expertly crafted together and beautifully designed.
The gameplay stands up to the high standards set by previous Deus Ex games and goes beyond them in many respects.
This is a game that will suit all types of gamers too.
Looking for a quick blast for an hour, you can jump on and get enough done to enjoy the experience, looking for longer, more involved sessions on your console then the gameplay rewards your patience, curiosity and creativity.
You play augmented human Jensen who is essentially the most deadly Power Ranger on the planet. I mean this guy has everything and would even give Superman a run for his money.
There are so many options to negotiate each scenario
And this is where my first problem lies with DEMD.
Sometimes, dare I say it, there are so many options available to you, so many ways to deal with scenarios and enemies and so much in your arsenal, it actually feels a bit ... easy.
‘Ramp up the difficulty setting!’ I hear you cry.
Well yes there’s that but my point is no matter what level you are playing at, Jensen just has too much at his disposal for his enemies to trouble him.
Sometimes, dare I say it, there are so many options available to you, so many ways to deal with scenarios and enemies and so much in your arsenal, it actually feels a bit ... easy. Damien Lucas, gaming columnist
But don’t get me wrong it’s still great fun entering a room littered with foes and walking out past a pile of them without breaking a sweat.
Another thing that doesn’t quite land for me is the Apartheid type references between the humans (naturals) and the augmented race. It is a poor attempt to give the storyline resonance with real life - for example there are posters dotted around saying things like ‘Augmented Lives Matter’ and it just feels a little frivolous.
I’m being hyper critical, though, and Deus Ex will go down as one of the games of the year of that there is no doubt.
Rating: 8.5/10 | http://www.bognor.co.uk/lifestyle/tech/console-corner-deus-ex-mankind-divided-review-1-7540408 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/44bffcf95c7507c7c917a72dbdeb1c4f75f2856fc8322c491bacebbffa546f0a.json |
[
"James Butler"
] | 2016-08-26T12:48:19 | null | 2016-08-25T19:01:11 | Visit now for the latest crime news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fcrime%2Fcounty-news-man-arrested-for-suspected-murder-as-woman-s-body-found-1-7545155.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7517972.1472148056!/image/image.jpg | en | null | COUNTY NEWS: Man arrested for suspected murder as woman’s body found | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in Sussex after a woman’s body was found, police have said.
Sussex Police said that at just before 9.45am today, officers were called to the address in Chrisdory Road, Mile Oak, which is in Portslade, East Sussex, over concerns for the welfare of a 18-year woman living there who had not arrived at work this morning.
Our thoughts are with the deceased and with her family and friends Superintendent James Collis
The body of a woman, believed to be the resident, was found inside the house, police said. Formal identification has not yet taken place.
They added that nobody else was in the house at the time.
The cause of death has not yet been established but it is being treated as suspicious by police and detectives from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team led by Detective Chief Inspector Paul Rymarz, are investigating.
A 27-year old Portslade man was arrested this afternoon at an address in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody for interview and further enquiries.
Superintendent James Collis of the Brighton and Hove Division said: “Our thoughts are with the deceased and with her family and friends, who are receiving our support at this time.”
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Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/news/crime/county-news-man-arrested-for-suspected-murder-as-woman-s-body-found-1-7545155 | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/7b19ef247d5be3ff2cd135d725993dcc81bd1d59c2c1f9db9a2a4bb65947fecd.json |
[
"James Butler"
] | 2016-08-29T10:46:51 | null | 2016-08-29T09:44:29 | Visit now for the latest crime news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fcrime%2Fupdate-police-stand-off-with-armed-man-continues-1-7548536.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7548593.1472463170!/image/image.jpg | en | null | UPDATE: Police stand-off with armed man continues | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | The stand-off between negotiators and an armed man continues, police have said.
A statement from Sussex Police said: “Emergency services remain outside a house in Harbour Road, Pagham this morning (29 August) as trained police negotiators continue communication with a lone 72-year-old man who is still believed to have a gun.
Police have cordoned off a house in Harbour Road, Pagham and are negotiating with a man armed with a gun. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
“Police were called to the property at around 4.10pm on Sunday (28 August) to a report of threatening behaviour.
“A woman known to the man was also in the house, but she left shortly after police arrival and is safe and well.
“The 72-year-old man remains in the property alone.
“A police cordon is still in place and the road remains closed.”
Local residents in Harbour Road have been advised to stay inside Detective Superintendent Nick Sloan
Detective Superintendent Nick Sloan said: “The safety of the local community is our utmost priority.
“Local residents in Harbour Road have been advised to stay inside, but should they wish to or need to leave their properties, we will be able to facilitate this with police support.
“Communication continues with the lone man in the house and we hope to resolve this situation as quickly and safely as possible.”
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
A Facebook post shows armed police in Pagham following reports of a man with a gun using threatening behaviour. Picture: Bognor News and Local Events
Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.
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Police have cordoned off a house in Harbour Road, Pagham and are negotiating with a man armed with a gun. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
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And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!
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Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/news/crime/update-police-stand-off-with-armed-man-continues-1-7548536 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/939b246ee67f35dba2f1c234a2b0fffa9a7dd846ae82d33a69557581c2444f85.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:58:11 | null | 2016-08-26T06:30:16 | Visit now for the latest health news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fhealth%2Fcalls-to-strip-coperforma-of-sussex-patient-transport-service-contract-1-7544956.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7544954.1472141989!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Calls to strip Coperforma of Sussex patient transport service contract | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Embattled patient transport service provider Coperforma should be stripped of its contract, one union has suggested.
The private company took over from South East Coast Ambulance Service back in April, but during the first few months patients complained about numerous incidents of crews either not turning up or showing up late.
One of its sub-contractors VM Langfords went into administration earlier this year and Coperforma had to step in to guarantee the pay, jobs, and terms and conditions of employees by transferring them to other companies working under them on the contract.
However the GMB union, which represents staff working for sub-contractor Docklands Medical Services, has warned that many of its members could lose their jobs without money owed to them from their previous employers.
Gary Palmer, GMB organiser, said: “No more chances, no more waiting until the dust hopefully settles, the time has come to remove Coperfoma and all those that would put profit before patients and staff.”
He explained that the union had been made aware that all transferred staff could be given notice and dismissed from their current NHS contracts with a view to offering them inferior contracts on a take it or leave it basis, which could affect up to 60 staff.
The tender process for the contract was led by the High Weald Lewes Havens Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) on behalf of all seven CCGs covering Sussex.
Mr Palmer added: “The GMB have written assurances and viewed public broadcasts where Coperforma CEO Michael Clayton clearly states that their new providers would not only pick up the PTS work after the collapse of Langfords, but that staff would be looked after and not out of pocket, and importantly that all their terms and conditions would remain and be protected and not just during any inbound move to a new provider but with assurances that it would also do so for any future outbound transfer as well.
“Right from the very start when this contract was awarded to Coperforma despite the missed warning signs around their inability to deliver such a vital service for Sussex being ignored by the CCGs and its accountable officers, their delivery, accountability and responsibility has been seen to fail all measures, standards and targets by everyone except those who are ultimately responsible, the CCGs.”
Coperforma have been approached for comment.
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Always the first with your local news.
Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/news/health/calls-to-strip-coperforma-of-sussex-patient-transport-service-contract-1-7544956 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/c03786fe8fff07810c4fb27cb3c0adc0c03beda9e4e8a06c808bf11af7b0f3da.json |
[
"Phil Hewitt"
] | 2016-08-30T08:50:10 | null | 2016-08-30T08:49:36 | Visit now for the latest arts and culture news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fwhats-on%2Farts%2Fnational-success-for-chichester-artist-1-7549965.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7549964.1472543482!/image/image.jpeg | en | null | National success for Chichester artist | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Chichester Art Society member Glen Smith has had a painting selected for the Royal Society of Marine Artists’ annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries in central London from September 28-October 8.
Glen’s painting of Newquay Harbour was one of 1,100 submitted by non-members of the RSMA and is one of the small number selected to hang alongside the work of RSMA members at their annual exhibition. The exhibition’s theme is the sea and everything related to it, from beaches and creeks to harbours and boats.
Chichester Art Society spokeswoman Jean Campbell said: “This exhibition is regarded as the most prestigious and varied marine art exhibition in the country and will feature over 400 works from emerging and well-established artists across a range of media, including oil painting, watercolour, pastels, prints, and sculpture.
“The society congratulates Glen, whose work was a visitors’ favourite at its June exhibition this year and wishes him continued success with his work in the future.”
Don't miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
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Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/whats-on/arts/national-success-for-chichester-artist-1-7549965 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/c6c38ed61a8b853ff87dcc57bb7a610ddda4b389201a9d3feb1fe8ee99c080d2.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T08:45:56 | null | 2016-08-27T09:41:25 | Get the latest breaking news from the Bognor Regis Observer - politics, transport, education, health, environment and more, updated daily. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fsupport-needed-from-bognor-community-1-7542964.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7542962.1472114536!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Support needed from Bognor community | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | A Bognor Regis care home is calling on local people to take part in a fundraising walk for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Elizabeth House, located at Victoria Drive, is inviting all to take part in the Memory Walk on Saturday, September 10, at 11am.
Elizabeth House is a dedicated dementia home within the Shaw healthcare group and one of the largest in the local area.
Families, friends, colleagues and local businesses are invited to join in the Memory Walk.
Those with a connection to a local club, group or society are asked to invite them to join in.
Large groups and schools are also welcome, but any walker under the age of 12 must be accompanied.
The walk will start and end in Hotham Park, and does not exceed two miles.
It will include the town centre and the seafront.
The Bamboo Band will be playing on Hotham Park Bandstand, and Bognor’s own Brass Band will be playing on the seafront as the walking team pass.
The team at Elizabeth House are hoping to see the Bognor Regis community come together to achieve something special for those in need.
One in three people are likely to experience Dementia, and it is now the most feared diagnosis in people over 50.
Memory Walk sees thousands of people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society, helping to fight for a world without dementia.
People of all ages and abilities join in, from grandparents to grandchildren, and even furry four-legged friends.
They walk together to celebrate loved ones affected by dementia, and raise money to reclaim the future.
£50 would help for a PhD researcher to continue research into the causes of dementia, how it can be treated, and ultimately, to find a cure.
Find out more about the Memory Walk by visiting www.memorywalk.org.uk.
For those who are unable to participate on the day but would still like to show support, donations can be made via the JustGiving page, available at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Walking-For-Dementia.
For more information about the event, or to find out how to help, mail Mandy or Jackie at walkingfordementia@gmail.com.
Find out more about the Alzheimer’s Society at www.alzheimers.org.uk.
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
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The Bognor Observer - always the first with your local news.
Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/news/support-needed-from-bognor-community-1-7542964 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/928b9907060c46d7b3f432285a0db9a10c24dc5e26c0ceaa1860e9303c270243.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:46:29 | null | 2016-08-26T14:00:49 | Visit now for the latest local football news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Flocal%2F15-1-but-it-wasn-t-biggest-win-of-season-so-far-1-7542859.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7542858.1472112049!/image/image.jpg | en | null | 15-1 - but it wasn’t biggest win of season so far | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | Bosham FC are celebrating after almost doubling their record victory as our local football teams enjoy a goal-laden start to the new season.
It was raining goals at Glebelands on Tuesday night as Bosham beat a hapless Ferring side 15-1.
Jake Lafferty helped himself to five, with Marco Giambelardini hitting four.
Assistant player-boss Neil Redman weighed in with two, including a rare header, while new signing Ollie Gilbert and Graeme Dowden also hit two each. It was 2-1 at one stage with Jack Nieve scoring for Ferring before the Reds raced into a 7-1 half-time advantage.
The scoreline dwarfs Bosham’s previous best win, an 8-0 victory – ironically also at Ferring – on the opening day of the 2014-15 season.
It is not quite the freak result it appears – Ferring went into the game on the back of an 18-0 demolition in their season opener at newly-promoted Jarvis Brook.
Ferring have a new team and young manager who are clearly struggling to find their feet at this level.
Bosham have had many tussles with Ferring over the years and say they hope their rivals can turn their fortunes around as the season progresses.
The romp is the highlight of what has been a goal-feast of a start to the season for our local SCFL teams.
Bosham, with 17 goals in two games, sit second in division two with six points from six, though they are still behind Jarvis Brook on goal difference.
Sidlesham are also in division two this season and as Bosham were hitting 15 in midweek, they were suffering a relative goal drought at home to Clymping. They won by a mere 5-0 margin as new boss Daren Pearce got his first win under his belt and the Sids moved into the top six.
Callum Dowdell (2), John Phillips, Tom Jefkins and Tom Bayley scored the goals.
Reports from last weekend
Roffey 2 Sidlesham 1
Southern Combination division two
Roffey began with apprehension and Sidlesham took advantage whe a long ball forward and some mis-communication in the home defence saw Adam Wicking head into his own goal.
Roffey began to grow into the game and snuff out any threat from Sids, much of which came from Tom Bayley.
Ben Chowney was denied from inside the six-yard box by Connor Kelly in the Sidlesham goal and other home chances were spurned.
Excellent last-ditch defending from Sidlesham’s Matt Roberts prevented an equaliser - but one did come in the 44th minute as a well-worked short corner was converted by Wicking.
The second half began with further Roffey chances.
Sidlesham looked to counter-attack and John Phillips looked to support Bayley, while Joe Jefkins and Callum Dowdell attacked well down the flanks.
Roffey were looking to turn one point into three and managed it in the 88th minute when a delightful ball curled to the far post saw sub Harri Nourse power a header back across Kelly and into the far corner.
Sidlesham looked a very good side and hope to be among the frontrunners for the league title.
SIDLESHAM: Kelly, Williams, Sandalls, Robinson (c), Leggat, Roberts, Jefkins, Parsons, Bayley, Phillips, Dowdell. Subs: Jefkins, Williams, Watts, McCoy, Bassil.
Lancing Utd 0 Bosham 2
Southern Combination division two
Bosham began their new SCFL season with a firm statement of intent in sealing a comfortable win at newly-promoted Lancing United.
The Reds, division two cup champions were looking to start with a bang and send a message to the other teams and two second-half, goals saw them do just that.
It was a very blustery afternoon at the Croshaw ground, with Bosham taking advantage of the wind in the first half.
In their change blue strip they struggled to cope with conditions.
Marco Giambelardini looked sharp and fellow strike partners Graeme Dowden and Alex Barnes ably supported him but chances were few.
Close to the half-hour, Dowden unleashed a strong effort that smacked the crossbar with keeper Steve Allfrey rooted to the spot.
Right on half-time Lancing had their best chance when Mark O’Regan got in on goal but he sent his effort wide.
Bosham settled the better from the re-start and, though the harsh wind was against them, they used their quality well.
Bradley Miles was creating, Barnes and Dowden finding gaps and the reward came when Barnes got free in the box and was found unmarked to fire a cross-shot under Allfrey and in.
Late on, Giambelardini settled any Bosham nerves with a typically classy finish, curling an exquisite effort from the edge of the area into the bottom corner, past the outstretched hand of Allfrey.
Bosham held firm and kept the Lancing dangermen quiet to the delight of the management team of Andy Probee and Neil Redman.
Although fellow promoted side Jarvis Brook, won 18-0 (eighteen) against Ferring, Bosham can be pleased with the start to their campaign.
They have a trip to Montpellier Villa on Saturday and a first home game of the season on bank holiday Monday against Clymping at Walton Lane.
Bosham: Magee, Docherty, Bulbeck, Colinese, Bell, Barnes, Miles, Lafferty, Giambelardini, Dowden, Probee. Subs: Redman, Gilbert.
ALAN PRICE
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Share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! | http://www.bognor.co.uk/sport/football/local/15-1-but-it-wasn-t-biggest-win-of-season-so-far-1-7542859 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/41515b3a161bba2a8afb597aa3c1319dcd810b1242db2ef8de95cb6e9562dc04.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T10:47:36 | null | 2016-08-31T10:19:55 | Visit now for the latest politics news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Funion-in-talks-over-cuts-to-station-ticket-offices-1-7553692.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7553691.1472635173!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Union in talks over cuts to station ticket offices | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | A union representing Sussex railway station ticket office staff will hold talks with Southern bosses over proposed cuts to opening hours.
Govia Thameslink Railway unveiled proposals earlier this year to introduce ‘station hosts’ selling tickets on the concourses, limiting ticket office opening hours to weekday peak times only at most of its stations in the county.
Station staff represented by the RMT union are already planning to strike on Wednesday September 7, while the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association are currently balloting its members on industrial action.
The RMT strike coincides with a separate 48-hour walkout planned to start at the same time over GTR’s plans to change the role of conductors on Southern services to on-board supervisors, with drivers operating train doors instead.
The TSSA is attending talks with GTR, hosted by conciliation service ACAS today (Wednesday August 31) in an attempt to head off the cuts.
The results of the TSSA’s strike ballot will be announced on Friday (September 2).
Yesterday Lorraine Ward, TSSA’s organising director, said: “Govia Thameslink’s management of Southern is running the service into the ground.
“It is clear to passengers and staff alike that to serve the public effectively and ensure a safe running of the service, Southern should not reduce current staffing levels.
“This is the largest and busiest franchise in the UK rail network and, up to now, the measures Govia are proposing will simply slash passenger and staff safety standards on this dangerously over-strained service.
“All unions have been resolute in standing firm in the face of this plan and we are now optimistic that Govia will be showing willing to abandon it at tomorrow’s talks.”
Responding to the RMT’s decision to strike over proposed cuts to ticket office opening times late last week, GTR explained that after talks with both unions it had decided to take the original proposals off the table.
Instead the rail operator would be conducting a six months pilot at eight stations using volunteer staff to test the new station host role.
Alex Foulds, GTR’s passenger services director, said: “These pilots would be manned by volunteers on a secondment basis and would allow concerns around personal safety and cash handling to be addressed. Staff would keep their jobs, get more money and many would work fewer hours.
“To call a strike over proposals that no longer exist is a stunning own goal by the RMT leadership.”
Under the original proposals ticket offices at Lancing and Falmer were due to close completely.
Stations at Angmering, Barnham, Bexhill, Bognor Regis, Burgess Hill, Chichester, Crawley, East Grinstead, Eastbourne, Hassocks, Horley, Horsham, Hove, Lewes, Littlehampton, Polegate, Portslade, Shoreham, and Worthing were also due to be affected by the cuts.
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Always the first with your local news.
Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/news/politics/union-in-talks-over-cuts-to-station-ticket-offices-1-7553692 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/9507063c308929a89251d9568fbd2fff4c4eaa2f5b090f4e2d0a9c710f55a891.json |
[
"James Butler"
] | 2016-08-26T18:45:36 | null | 2016-08-26T19:26:21 | Get the latest breaking news from the Bognor Regis Observer - politics, transport, education, health, environment and more, updated daily. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fcounty-news-murdered-teen-s-parents-pay-tribute-to-their-beautiful-girl-1-7547047.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7547040.1472235963!/image/image.jpg | en | null | COUNTY NEWS: Murdered teen’s parents pay tribute to their ‘beautiful girl’ | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | The parents of a teenager whose body was found on Thursday have paid a heartfelt tribute to their ‘beautiful girl’ and released a photograph of her, Sussex police has said.
Sharon Grice and Richard Green of Hove, parents of Shana Grice, 19, said: “Shana is our beautiful girl, a kind thoughtful, caring daughter who always thought of others.
Shana is our beautiful girl, a kind thoughtful, caring daughter who always thought of others Sharon Grice and Richard Green
“We would like to thank Ashley and his family for their support.
“We would also like to thank everyone for their beautiful kind words.
“We would like to ask that our privacy be respected through this difficult time.”
According to Sussex Police, Ashley was Shana’s current boyfriend.
Shana’s body was found at her address in Chrisdory Road, Mile Oak, on Thursday morning.
The 27-year old man arrested on Thursday on suspicion of murder in Burgess Hill is still in custody for interview and further enquiries, police said.
Magistrates at Brighton today granted a warrant authorising his continued detention if necessary until Sunday.
A post-mortem is currently taking place in Brighton but is not expected to conclude until later tonight.
As previously announced, the death has been notified to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. To read the full story, click here.
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And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!
Always the first with your local news.
Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/news/county-news-murdered-teen-s-parents-pay-tribute-to-their-beautiful-girl-1-7547047 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/fadfc9a1ff637a7e71cfb9d6cea7593d3782e7e77bfb7ef94c0a9e88f1c83472.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T14:47:22 | null | 2016-08-30T14:50:08 | Visit now for the latest crime news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fcrime%2Fhm-courts-service-results-list-for-chichester-and-worthing-august-15-to-19-2016-1-7550828.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.6778673.1472565028!/image/image.jpg | en | null | HM Courts Service: Results list for Chichester and Worthing, August 15 to 19, 2016 | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | The following are the latest results contributed by HM Courts Service, for cases sentenced by West Sussex Magistrates’ Court sitting at Chichester and Worthing from August 15 to 19, 2016.
Thomas Goodyear, 40, of Annandale Avenue, Bognor Regis, was given a community order and must have treatment for drug dependency after admitting stealing a pedal cycle in Barnham on March 18, 2016. He was also fined £50 and must pay £400 compensation and £85 costs. He was fined £50 after admitting breaching a suspended sentence order.
Ramon Henderson, 43, of Bognor Bridge Road, Chichester, was given a community order and must carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work after being found guilty of threatening behaviour in Eastergate on June 27, 2016; harassment in Eastergate between April 10, 2016, and June 30, 2016; and breaching a restraining order in Eastergate between April 10, 2016, and June 30, 2016. He must pay £50 compensation, £85 victim surcharge and £620 costs.
Frederick Elliott, 74, of Stanbrook Close, Aldwick, was fined £90 and must pay £85 costs after admitting driving over the 30mph speed limit in Chalcraft Lane, Bognor Regis, on January 6, 2016. He was also fined £90 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over the 30mph speed limit in Chalcraft Lane, Bognor Regis, on January 21, 2016. His driving record was endorsed with a total of six points.
James Gibbons, 40, of Douglas Close, Bognor Regis, was fined £167 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving over the 60mph speed limit on the A24 Dial Post on November 11, 2015. His driving record was endorsed with three points.
Luke Basley, 21, of Petts Close, Selsey, was fined £40 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting taking a pedal cycle without consent in High Street, Selsey, on May 21, 2016.
Trevor Hunt, 34, of Warblers Way, Bognor Regis, was discharged conditionally for 12 months and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting using threatening words or behaviour in East Street, Littlehampton, on July 28, 2016.
Brian Martin, 84, of Bulbeck Way, Felpham, was fined £120 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving without due care and attention in Selsey Road, Chichester, on May 9, 2016. His driving record was endorsed with six points.
Jordan Phillips, 22, of Worcester Road, Chichester, was fined £40 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting disorderly behaviour while drunk in Selsey on July 30, 2016. He also admitted breaching a conditional discharge order, no action taken.
Paula Reddings, 39, c/o Pryors Green, Bognor Regis, was fined £120 and must pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting driving in Fernhurst Gardens, Bognor Regis, on July 9, 2016, without insurance. Her driving record was endorsed with six points. She also admitted driving a vehicle without an MOT certificate and driving without a licence, no separate penalty.
Lee Webb, 43, of Manor Lane, Selsey, was given a four-week consecutive prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and must pay £115 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting dishonestly receiving stolen goods in Selsey on March 11, 2016. He was given a four-week concurrent prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, after admitting possessing 6g of cannabis resin in Selsey on March 31, 2016.
Jane Young, 45, of Felpham Way, Bognor Regis, was given a community order and must pay £85 victim surcharge, £85 costs, after admitting dishonestly receiving stolen goods in Bognor Regis on March 11, 2016.
Alisha Greaney, 37, of Findon Drive, Bognor Regis, was fined £35 and must pay £20 victim surcharge, £50 costs, after admitting using a colour television on February 8, 2016, without a licence.
Julia Clark, 53, of Regents Way, West Meads, was fined £40 and must pay £32.50 vehicle excise back duty, £45 costs, after admitting driving an unlicensed vehicle in Portsmouth on December 4, 2015.
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And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!
The Observer – always the first with your local news.
Be part of it. | http://www.bognor.co.uk/news/crime/hm-courts-service-results-list-for-chichester-and-worthing-august-15-to-19-2016-1-7550828 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/fe4d2a0d88715ac762ae2e368a8bc4d977826528c3a425c766144cc3142a8d1c.json |
[
"Elizabeth Anderson"
] | 2016-08-30T10:47:22 | null | 2016-08-30T10:47:08 | Visit now for the offbeat news - from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fnews%2Foffbeat%2Frevealed-the-top-uk-companies-for-work-life-balance-1-7550178.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7550177.1472550409!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Revealed: The top UK companies for work-life balance | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | A recruitment firm has been named the best company in the UK for work-life balance.
Financial recruiter Goodman Masson took first place in the list by jobs site Glassdoor, based on reviews submitted to its website by current and former staff.
The company, which is based in London and also has offices in Dusseldorf, was praised by staff for its “huge investment” in staff benefits and “great” parties twice a year.
“The attention paid to the wellbeing of staff is at a level rarely matched elsewhere,” said an anonymous employee working in the London office.
In second place was technology firm Cisco Systems, and in third place was insurer HomeServe.
West Midlands-based HomeServe, which employs 1,200 people at its headquarters in Walsall and has 2.1 million customers in the UK, was commended for its attitude towards the treatment of its staff.
“The salary is very competitive and you are rewarded very generously for your hard work and just for carrying out your role. The company has a great framework for career progression and is always looking to promote people internally for job roles,” said a water supply engineer working at the firm.
Greg Reed, chief marketing officer at HomeServe, said: “We believe if you take care of your people, they will take care of your customers. This means creating a culture where people genuinely enjoy coming to work every day because they feel what they do really makes a difference in our customers’ lives.”
Temping firm LOLA and Screwfix completed the top five. Other companies in the top 20 included Apple, American Express Lloyds Banking Group, Unilever and John Lewis.
Google is known for its plush offices, but doesn’t make the top 20 companies for work-life balance. Its new London office has sleep pods so workers can take a nap, although perhaps this is an indication of long hours.
For a company to have been considered, at least 50 work-life balance ratings must have been submitted by UK-based employees in the past year.
The top 20 companies for work-life balance:
1. Goodman Masson
2. Cisco Systems
3. HomeServe UK
4. LOLA Staffing
5. Screwfix
6. American Express
7. BP
8. Peninsula Business Services
9. ARM Holdings
10. Unilever
11.Thomson Reuters
12. Kantar Worldpanel
13. Atkins
14. Téléfonica
15. Credit Suisse
16. Rolls-Royce
17. John Lewis
18. Waitrose
19. Lloyds Banking Group
20. Apple | http://www.bognor.co.uk/news/offbeat/revealed-the-top-uk-companies-for-work-life-balance-1-7550178 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/ff182173583013376943e0747a999b45b0b8a3d53e11fea0490d6d75df28210d.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T08:48:54 | null | 2016-08-31T08:00:28 | Visit now for the more sports news - direct from the Bognor Regis Observer | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bognor.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fmore-sport%2Fwhy-anglers-should-expect-the-unexpected-1-7545613.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.bognor.co.uk/webimage/1.7545612.1472200460!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Why anglers should expect the unexpected | null | null | www.bognor.co.uk | There’s nothing quite like the unexpected when you go fishing, writes Roger Poole of Petworth and Bognor Angling Club.
Club member Stephen Gray visited the Rother for some float trotting for dace and roach – both provide good fun especially on light tackle.
I think the Arun is one of the best fishing rivers in the south of England – I know of no other river that holds such a wide variety of coarse fish. Roger Poole
So he was surprised to catch not only a barbel and a jack pike but an 8lb 8oz common carp. These roam the river appearing every so often when least expected, and certainly a challenge to any angler. I
Those red letter days are one of the reasons we go fishing. I recall a day on the lower stretches of the Rother at Fittleworth when I was enjoying catching small roach and dace with some perch, all happy to take maggot with my bait tripping the bottom, when regular ground bait attracted the attention of some large chub further downstream.
Chub can often be loners but on this occasion there were several and within a half hour I had caught five with an average weight of three to four pounds.
A couple of bream turned up to complete what was my red letter day on the Rother. Have I been back? You bet – same swim, same bait, same tactics, same result? Sadly no.
Despite the relative July heatwave, the water levels on both rivers and ponds remained relatively high, which has led to excellent catches from the club’s waters.
Our catch report books indicate most anglers are enjoying good sport and it’s good to see more roach, especially in the rivers. Roach have been in decline for some years and get targeted by mink.
They are a shoaling fish and easy prey to mink who were abandoned by some mink farms to roam the countryside and rivers in particular when the fur trade collapsed many years ago.
A spirited attempt to combat the number of mink in rivers by the South Downs National Park will shortly get under way in co-operation with landowners who themselves undertake mink control.
Like mink, otters live and survive on a diet of mainly fish – and fish stocks, despite a slow recovery, are the lifeblood of rivers, ponds and lakes and of course anglers who pay for their pastime.
Mink are a no-no but otters have a rightful place provided they inhabit naturally in rivers with sufficient fish to sustain them. What is wrong is when mankind decide to introduce them without realising the damage to valuable fish stocks and the harm the otters themselves suffer through a lack of food. They then start moving into other areas including private ponds in people’s gardens.
I think the Arun is one of the best fishing rivers in the south of England – I know of no other river that holds such a wide variety of coarse fish, plus the migratory sea trout that find their way into the Rother at Hardham.
The sea trout find their way up so many tributaries on both rivers and this year we have had record catches with all fish being returned. The Arun may be tidal and best fished on a rising or falling tide but its bream are worth it. Best caught on a maggot feeder, these bream shoal in large numbers and are unlike lake bream.
They can put up quite a fight but perhaps are wiser then we imagine. Having charged downstream they decide to flop over, happy to go in the landing net knowing full well once unhooked they go straight back in the river.
For full information on club matches, venues and all activities please see www.sussexangling.co.uk
Roger Poole.
Petworth & Bognor Angling Club
Read Roger’s What’s the Catch? column on this website and in the Observer every month
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Share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! | http://www.bognor.co.uk/sport/more-sport/why-anglers-should-expect-the-unexpected-1-7545613 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.bognor.co.uk/108959deac949a89df69351b909bc01f4ee27444fb7513bfda13cd7163306379.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:58:09 | null | 2016-08-24T18:33:03 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Fbalochistan-road-freedom%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Balochistan-Road-to-freedom-slidera.gif | en | null | Balochistan: Road to freedom! | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Imtiaz Baloch
Thousands of Baloch are fleeing and seeking asylums in different parts of the world being hounded, repressed and persecuted by ruthless Pakistan army.
Members of Pakistani security forces are continuing genocide on the civilians of Balochistan since the movement of liberation began during early seventies. Abductions, forced disappearances, rapes and various forms of cruelties are continuing on the members of Balochistan People’s Liberation Front (BPLF), Free Balochistan Movement (FBM), Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Baloch Liberation Organization (BLO), and the citizen of our land. Pakistani security forces even rape children within age group of 5-15. The degree of brutalities on the Baloch people by the Pakistani pigs are similar to that of Hitler and his nefarious Nazi goons.
It may be mentioned here that FBM currently is led by our great freedom fighter Nawabzada Hyrbyair Marri. We have a government of the Republic of Balochistan in exile. But, genocide-monger Pakistani occupation forces are spending millions of dollars not only in eliminating the entire Baloch nation but Pakistani ISI (Inter Service Intelligence) are using numerous evil tactics in suffocating our voice of freedom. Due to frantic bids of ISI, information on our liberation struggle do not get place in print and electronic media in the world, especially in the Muslim nations. We express profound gratitude to the editorial team of Weekly Blitz for extending their valued support by letting us publish our materials on the freedom struggle of Balochistan.
To assess the degree of our pains and our hatred toward Pakistani occupation forces, just see the comment of Mazdak Dilshad Baloch (25), who arrived in India few months back, was shocked being suspected by the Indian immigration, just because in his Canadian passport shows the place of birth as Quetta in Pakistan. Shocked mazdak Baloch told reporters, “I was at pain explaining to the immigration authority that I was not a Pakistani. Call me a dog, but not a Pakistani. I am a Baloch.”
Baloch are grateful to everyone in the world, including Indian prime minister Narendra Modi for condemning Pakistani atrocities on the people of Balochistan.
We call upon the conscious people around the world kindly to extend their support to the independence struggle of Balochistan.
Comments
comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/balochistan-road-freedom/ | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/4d8262e6642438969d502c51173427a0300db15e0ae3332835412269466d9a71.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:58:57 | null | 2016-08-24T02:16:47 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Fchechen-female-brigade-lone-wolf%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Chechen-female-brigade-of-Lone-Wolf-slider.jpg | en | null | Chechen female brigade of 'Lone Wolf'! | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Blitz Exclusive
All of they wear modern outfit-jeans or skirts, not hijab or burqa. They are stylish and elegant having no problem or hesitation in eating pork, drinking alcohol or smoking. They look innocent and never utter a word in public that would identify them as jihadists. But, in reality they not only are ruthless and dangerous, they hate Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, and non-Muslims. All they hold in mind is, killing the ‘enemies of Islam’.
For past some years, there already have been connections between Al Qaeda and Muslim terrorists in Chechnya, north Caucasus region of Russia. Now, since last year, there is link between Islamic State and Chechen militants. They are forming Islamic state in Chechnya (ISC).
Russian counter terrorism specialists say, the so-called ISC still is ‘non existent’ but Chechen jihadists are building a female brigade of ‘Lone Wolf’, who are slowly spreading into various territories of the Russian Federation. One of the key objectives of this ‘brigade’ members are to radicalise youths in various parts of Russia and continue ‘Jihad Romance’ with the targeted youth and finally turn them into either a militant or suicide squad member.
The members of ‘Lone Wolf’ squad look for their ‘prey’ either through social media or the roam around various business house, shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels and even campuses of schools, colleges and universities to find their prospective recruits.
Islamist militants may go for several attacks in Russian sea ports as well as tourist sites.
Comments
comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/chechen-female-brigade-lone-wolf/ | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/064c6e5970de9cfd96cf44a04d76a486470ad84d9fe3a41677e0221cdea50e4b.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T22:51:38 | null | 2016-08-30T03:15:39 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Fanti-militancy-appeal-celebrities%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Anti-militancy-appeal-by-celebrities-s.jpg | en | null | Anti militancy appeal by celebrities! | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Blitz Exclusive
Now its time when celebrities around the world finally are getting prepared for releasing 1-minute video appeals to their millions of fans around the world, asking everyone to denounce Islamist militancy, jihad, anti-Semitism, religious hatred and killing of innocent people in the name of jihad. The celebrities will start releasing these appeals through social media such as Facebook, twitter, Youtube etc. Video clips would also run on various TV channels in the world.
From India, those who are going to participate in this extremely important effort in creating global voice against militancy are Sonam Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjay Dutt, Paoli Dam, Sunny Leone, Shabana Azmi, Jacqueline, Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor, and others.
There also is possibility that Leonardo Dicaprio, kirsten Dunst, Judi Dench, Madonna, Shakira, Margot Robbie, Will Smith, Jared Leto, Ana de Armas, Brian De Palma, and many more world celebrities may also participate in this noble effort.
We especially are counting on efforts from Leonardo Dicaprio, who has devoted an immense amount of time into promoting environmental conservation. The Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation has donated millions to preserve wildlife, and safeguard habitats such as oceans, rainforests and Antarctica.
Being the only anti-jihadist newspaper in the Muslim world, Weekly Blitz has been confronting anti-Semitism, culture of hatred, killing of innocent people in the name of jihad or Islam. We had earlier made appeal to the celebrities in the world to speak-out against militancy and issue their appeal to fans through short video messages.
Weekly Blitz requests Leonardo Dicaprio, Judi Dench, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Margot Robbie, Shakira, Kirsten Dunst, Sonakshi Sinha, Sonam Kapoor, Sunny Leone, Roger Moore, and all other celebrities in the world to please help Weekly Blitz to further spread by putting our link www.weeklyblitz.net on their websites Please LIKE Weekly Blitz on Facebook and Twitter. Please share our contents. With your precious efforts, we want to have millions of followers on Facebook and Twitter.
Weekly Blitz is fighting against militancy, anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial and culture of religious hatred. Weekly Blitz promotes inter-faith harmony and world peace.
Will you please be with us?
Comments
comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/anti-militancy-appeal-celebrities/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/5a7a550b6b3931277dfe3d36cbe9b754dde85a9fc699bfa0f16013b40666cc41.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T22:51:02 | null | 2016-08-29T03:14:47 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2F9-questions-to-american-voters%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/9-Questions-to-American-voters-s.jpg | en | null | 9 Questions to American voters! | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Special Correspondent
On 8th November, presidential election in United States will take place. Many news outlets are running opinion polls on a daily basis, almost. But, Weekly Blitz wants to run an opinion polls in a very transparent way! We are putting few questions to the voters below:
Do you think, supporters of Bernie Sanders will vote for Hillary Clinton? Do you think, Wikileaks publishes the emails to embarrass Ms. Clinton? Do you think, Hillary Clinton will win? Do you think, Donald Trump is not fit to become US President? Do you think, many supporters of the Republican Party will vote for Hillary Clinton? Do you think, if Donald Trump wins, he will be a ‘bad president’? Do you think, Black lives matter? Do you think, if elected, Hillary Clinton should restrict the open sale of arms in USA? Do you think, Muslim and Mexican voters may not vote for Donald Trump?
If your reply to all the questions is YES, then please press LIKE on Facebook or Twitter at the bottom of this post. If your reply is NO, please write your comment in brief.
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comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/9-questions-to-american-voters/ | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/1811c6ef32cad1c08b183ab15c8c724bea96474d80c1313a993d360c89e02443.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T20:49:31 | null | 2016-08-27T02:28:55 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Frobots-replace-human-workers-singapore%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Robots-to-replace-human-workers-in-Singapore-s.jpg | en | null | Robots to replace human workers in Singapore | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Staff Reporter
Singapore is all set to invest USD 333 million to fund robot development and deployment by 2020, because of shortage of workers especially in hotels, restaurants and retailers. The labour crunch is gradually intensifying since 2011 as Singapore accelerated restrictions of foreign workers and its highly-educated locals largely shun the late hours and unglamorous work.
Labour crunch is one of the economic challenges, which forced Singapore cut its 2016 growth forecast. A number of service sectors are looking for using robots to cope with the labor shortage.
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comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/robots-replace-human-workers-singapore/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/894635c10df05440638e4a2e90154ab4e96892055084afa66f38d54522c0f866.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:56:19 | null | 2016-08-26T17:20:02 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Fincentives-peace-part-2%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Incentives-And-Peace-Part-2-s.jpg | en | null | Incentives And Peace [Part 2] | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Alon Ben-Meir
Unless distrust, insecurity, and illusions are first addressed, no incentives—however sweeping and compelling—will motivate Israel and the Palestinians to make the critical concessions needed to reach a peace agreement.
please click here to see part one
The international conference that was convened by France on June 3rd in Paris to advance the Israeli-Palestinian peace process ended up without concretely establishing specific measures that would persuade both parties to resume negotiations in order to reach a peace agreement. The joint communiqué issued following the conference stated “The participants discussed possible ways in which the international community could help advance the prospects for peace, including by providing meaningful incentives to the parties to make peace.”
Although the conferees agreed to reconvene again later this year and offer some incentives to both sides to restart the negotiations in earnest, I maintain that no incentives, however extensive and compelling, will succeed unless preceded by a period of reconciliation between Israel and the Palestinians. In fact, if Netanyahu or Abbas refuse to engage in a process of reconciliation, this would strongly suggest that they are not interested in reaching a peace agreement, let alone making the major concessions necessary to achieve peace.
While incentives will eventually become necessary to lock in an agreement, there are three essential impediments that must first be mitigated in order to change the Israelis’ and Palestinians’ perception of each other to enable them to negotiate in good faith.
The final element (in addition to distrust and national security) is the illusions that significant constituencies on both sides continue to entertain, which ultimately deny each other’s right to an independent state of their own.
Illusions: In The Future of an Illusion, Sigmund Freud offers the following definition: “…we call a belief an illusion when a wish-fulfillment is a prominent factor in its motivation, and in doing so we disregard its relations to reality, just as the illusion itself sets no store by verification.” What is characteristic of illusions is that: 1) they are derived from deep human wishes, and 2) the belief is held (or would be held) in the absence of any compelling evidence, or good rational grounds, on its behalf.
Both sides have a very powerful and widely influential constituency that still believes they can have it all. In Israel, parties such as Jewish Home, which is led by Naftali Bennett and part of the coalition government, still believe that much of the West Bank should be annexed and that no viable Palestinian state should be established as Israel can manage the conflict indefinitely.
On the part of the Palestinians, groups such as Hamas believe that all of Palestine, including Israel, is Palestinian territory, and that under any circumstances (and despite occasional statements to the contrary) Israel should not exist as an independent Jewish state. At best, they believe that the Jews can live in Palestine under Palestinian rule.
Both sides have been living with illusions about these issues and are imbued with a zero-sum approach, as if any gain by one side must be at the expense of the other. Unfortunately, the leadership on both sides have done nothing but promulgate these beliefs, and even less to disabuse themselves of these illusions.
Since illusions answer to inner needs, having to give them up can be an extremely painful, even traumatic experience. As a result, one of the major obstacles to adopting the Arab Peace Initiative (API) has been that many Israelis are still not prepared psychologically to relinquish some of their most cherished illusions (i.e. acquiring the whole land of Israel). On the other hand, the Palestinians, especially Hamas, also want to control the entire mandated Palestine, which is illusionary as well.
Israel’s illusions have served to create the logic for occupation, ultimately perpetuating the dehumanization of the Palestinians. Israel’s political leadership clung to these illusions and never understood the mindset of the Palestinians.
The Palestinians, for their part, cling to their illusions just as blindly and desperately as the Israelis, which leads to resistance to and fear of change. This has contributed to making the Israeli-Palestinian conflict both chronic and intractable, as the various illusions are continuously and consciously nurtured by daily encounters between the two sides.
Finally, illusions are also fed by experience itself—since the creation of the state of Israel, neither side has come to terms with the fact that coexistence is not one of many options, it is the only option.
Incentives:Given that these three points need to first be mitigated, any and all incentives provided have to occur once these issues have been largely allayed, while preparing the parties to embrace the overall framework for peace based on the API. In fact, providing any incentives prior to a period of reconciliation could undermine the effort to persuade both sides to make the necessary concessions for peace. Indeed, if they begin to benefit before making practical concessions, there will be no compelling reason to concede on anything, as has been the case in the past, and hope that their position could be further strengthened as time passes.
In an interview with Le Monde, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault stated following the June 3rd conference that “I am targeting two outcomes for this meeting [a follow-up international conference]: confirmation of the prospect of a conference with the parties by the end of the year and the creation of several working groups, one of which will be on the theme of economic incentives, e.g. the offer of a special partnership with the European Union and an association agreement for the future Palestinian State.”
Foreign Minister Ayrault is absolutely correct to suggest that incentives are necessary to persuade both sides to come to terms with each other’s rights and existence. These incentives, however, will not work unless, as stated above, they are preceded by a period of 18-24 months that allows for the mitigation of the three elements addressed above.
There is no doubt that finalizing a peace agreement would require significant incentives, and to that end the EU, along with the US, can offer the Palestinians the following, among other incentives: committing to raising billions of dollars to resettle and/or compensate the Palestinian refugees; and providing financial aid for the building of infrastructure throughout the Palestinian territories, in particular the building of schools, hospitals, and clinics, as these social and civic institutions are critical for the development of their future state. In addition, the EU can grant special provisions for Palestinian students to study tuition-free in European universities, provide guidance and assistance in the development of democratic institutions, and offer training and provisions for internal policing and security.
In regards to Israel, the EU can upgrade its association with Israel into a comprehensive partnership with increased trade and investments, and enhanced scientific and cultural links. In addition, the EU and the US can offer a financial aid package, similar to the ten-year plan currently being negotiated between the US and Israel, specifically for revitalizing debilitated, poverty-stricken areas in Israel, particularly those in urban locales.
Another potential incentive is establishing a special strategic association between Israel and NATO. Such an association would also provide a security umbrella to Israel, particularly in dealing with any potential threat from Iran. This measure will make it known that the US and the EU are prepared to come to Israel’s aid against any material threat emanating from any source.
Conclusion: Although a majority of Israelis and Palestinians realize the inevitability of coexistence and presumably understand the general parameters of a negotiated peace agreement, biased and selective perceptions, reinforced by historical experience and incompatible ideologies, have locked both sides into immobile positions. The factors that maintain and enhance these patterns include emotions such as fear, distrust, insecurity and illusions; the psychological outcome is mutual denial of the narrative of the other and mutual delegitimization. Put together, the operative result is stagnation and polarization.
What is therefore needed is a consensus-oriented dialogue and people-to-people interaction over a period of time, before they can sit and negotiate, to resolve the issues of perception–a tall order given the current environment that buttresses rather than ameliorates negative perceptions. Yet, this remains the only starting point that could usher in a negotiating process to successfully end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a professor of international relations at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU. He teaches courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies. Email: alon@alonben-meir.com
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comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/incentives-peace-part-2/ | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/1337008ca6cd106a6357842220849f0a5450c3f0ee069bcdbf789dccec180eaa.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:55:52 | null | 2016-08-23T23:19:18 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Fus-may-extradite-gulen-by-december%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/US-may-extradite-Gülen-by-December-slider.jpg | en | null | US may extradite Gülen by December | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Special Correspondent
At the request of Turkey, mastermind of the July failed coup, Fethullah Gülen may be extradited by the end of this year from US. The government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has accused Gülen’s network of being behind the coup.
The US Department of Justice will send a team soon to Turkey to pursue allegations of criminal activity of Gülen, which would be the first step towards extradition of the Pennsylvania-based Turkish-born Gülen. Meanwhile Turkish parliament approved a deal to normalise ties between Ankara and Jerusalem.
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comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/us-may-extradite-gulen-by-december/ | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/64d6f53e3469fb111efeac43c56ee2321cd03dc5cf69059fcfcbb4229ebb9af1.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:59:21 | null | 2016-08-25T20:56:08 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Fsecretary-state-kerry-travel-dhaka-new-delhi%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SECRETARY-OF-STATE-KERRY-TO-TRAVEL-TO-DHAKA-AND-NEW-DELHI-s.jpg | en | null | SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY TO TRAVEL TO DHAKA AND NEW DELHI | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson
STATEMENT BY ELIZABETH TRUDEAU, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF PRESS RELATIONS
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Dhaka, Bangladesh, on August 29 to highlight the longstanding and broad U.S.-Bangladesh relationship. Secretary Kerry will meet with government officials to discuss our growing cooperation on global issues. He also will focus on strengthening our longstanding bilateral partnership on democracy, development, security and human rights.
On August 29–31, Secretary Kerry will travel to New Delhi, India, for meetings with senior Indian officials. On August 30, the Secretary and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker will co-chair the second U.S.-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue (S&CD).
Secretaries Kerry and Pritzker will be joined by their respective Indian co-chairs, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman, along with members of the U.S. delegation and their Indian counterparts.
The S&CD is the signature mechanism for advancing the United States’ and India’s shared priorities of generating sustainable economic growth, creating jobs, improving the business and investment climate, enhancing livelihoods, and sustaining the rules-based global order.
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comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/secretary-state-kerry-travel-dhaka-new-delhi/ | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/6c6d5aaef5b6e95ac361d35e671d92b6e14485100dc6247dd7f2fdfb327a2d3c.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T16:50:01 | null | 2016-08-27T22:46:29 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Fyouths-becoming-radicals-part-2%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Why-youths-are-becoming-radicals-Part-2.jpg | en | null | Why youths are becoming radicals? (PART-2) | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | (See Part-1)
Mustafa Ali noor
In Qoumi madrassas the students mostly take mental preparations of either becoming Imam or Muazzin (those who perform azaan) in the mosques. They embrace Arab culture and start considering Bengali or Bangalee culture as haram (forbidden). To them, listening to songs would lead one towards hellfire. They start believing, women should never come out of their homes, and if they have to come out under compulsions, they must cover head to toe under dark burqa. In madrassas, students are taught, this world is nothing and only those who would immensely suffer in this world, financially or otherwise, would enter the heaven and get company of 72 virgins etc.
Madrassa students are not only radicalised but hypnotised too. They start considering (because they are taught) that, Jews and Christians are the worst enemies of Allah and Islam. They consider Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and non Muslims as atheists. In their eyes, Ahmadiyas are infidels. They believe, the entire Western world and Israel are lands of evils. They even are given dangerous motivation of waging jihad-killing Jews and Christians etc.
If we have carefully taken note of how and where did those non-madrassa youths got radicalised, we must have got the vital scoop. Did any of them get radicalised at schools, colleges or private universities? The answer is NO! All of them started spending longer hours in mosques, where from the got radicalised by Imams or members of Islamist or even jihadist groups.
What Bangladesh needs now is to stop the spread of religious hatred and anti-semitism instead of knocking down English medium schools and private universities or branding these institutions, wrongly, as breeding grounds of jihadists.
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comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/youths-becoming-radicals-part-2/ | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/87af25ad6b755c1a1c5ff61fe869bae76ac9625a407273fa9261a8db8394e367.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T10:50:38 | null | 2016-08-28T15:28:06 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Fhuge-blow-awaits-hillary%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Huge-blow-awaits-Hillary-s.jpg | en | null | Huge blow awaits Hillary! | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Blitz Exclusive
Wikileaks is all set to release at least four thousand sensational secret files on US Presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton, by mid – September and these leaks would cause a massive blow to her image.
Some of the documents are of ‘highest values’ and these will prove how much corrupt Hillary is, who has behaved almost like an ‘escort girl’ with the ‘large donors’ who donated millions to her family charity.
Hillary did not hesitate in setting ‘dates’ for candle-light dinners and even ‘more’ including offering ‘influence’ of her office as the Secretary of State as well as the White House to some multi-million dollar ‘patrons’.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has already confirmed that new documents concerning Democratic presidential candidate will be significant for the election.
Weekly Blitz has been campaigning in defence of Julian Assange and Edward Snowden and Believes the new leaks will simply turn Hillary Clinton into a person who is unfit to become US President.
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comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/huge-blow-awaits-hillary/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/a987a376e704781fbdf6acab093d32a0ecbe88d316716bdc0955c8353ba4ccc4.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T04:51:46 | null | 2016-08-30T09:16:46 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Fpakistani-pogrom-freedom-seeking-people-balochistan%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Pakistani-pogrom-on-freedom-seeking-people-of-Balochistan-s.jpg | en | null | Pakistani pogrom on freedom seeking people of Balochistan | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Akhlaq Ur Rehman Mirza
Freedom fighters and freedom seeking people, our brothers and sisters are facing extreme persecution and suffering in the hands of Pakistan’s military establishment, in the same manner the Pakistani occupation forces continues inhuman brutalities on the Bangladesh in 1971. Bangladesh should express solidarity with the Baloch people and condemn Pakistan’s human rights abuses in Balochistan.
Brave and heroic Bangladeshis and the pro-liberation forces in the country much raise voice in favor of an independent Republic of Balochistan.
We call upon the international community as well as people of India to express solidarity towards freedom struggle of Balochistan and spread the information of barbaric atrocities of Pakistani militancy establishment.
Pakistanis are trying to suffocate the freedom struggle of Balochistan by continuing pogrom – murders, abductions, disappearances and rapes.
Even minor girls aged between 6-12 are not spared by the Pakistani forces. These Baloch girls are even gang – raped and killed by the inhuman Pakistani military establishment.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi deserves applause for keeping the Baloch people in his mind. It is time for the global media to express solidarity with the freedom struggle of Balochistan.
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comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/pakistani-pogrom-freedom-seeking-people-balochistan/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/fcc9089e40a3a6f707d1c5e99b028774472105335f4e7c6869241fad4cf028fe.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:56:47 | null | 2016-08-22T23:09:52 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Fdeepika-padukone-the-queen-of-chittor%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Deepika-Padukone-The-queen-of-Chittor-slider.jpg | en | null | Deepika Padukone: The Queen of Chittor | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Staff Reporter
Tyrant emperor Alauddin Khilji had obsession for the queen of Chittor, Padmavati. Celebrated director and uncrowned king of Bollywood, Sanjay Leela Bhansali was looking for the most appealing actress to play the role of Padmavati in his next venture, a big budget Bollywood hungama against Ranveer Singh.
Audiences loved the Deepika-Ranveer chemistry in their recent blockbuster Bajirao Mastani. This film has already lifted lots of awards and many more awards are about to come toward Sanjay- Deepika-Ranveer ways. There possibly is no argument about Deepika Padukone’s very strong position in Bollywood. Hopefully she is gonna be another Salma Hayek in the Western cine world. Yes, she is working in a Hollywood is distinctive difference between Deepika Padukone and other actresses in Bollywood. She has both very authentic Indian appeal as well the adequate elegance, glamour and smartness to fit in Hollywood. She has the rare qualities to fit the role of an Indian sweetie as well the Bond Girl. Deepika indeed is the most versatile actresses from this sub-continent.
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comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/deepika-padukone-the-queen-of-chittor/ | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/863ed6a0e18478f618e0d62db82248daa532697a86c9e4a0f8327e739687ca80.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:59:45 | null | 2016-08-25T17:19:53 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Fincentives-peace-part-1%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Incentives-And-Peace-Part-1-s.jpg | en | null | Incentives And Peace [Part 1] | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Alon Ben-Meir
Unless distrust, insecurity, and illusions are first addressed, no incentives—however sweeping and compelling—will motivate Israel and the Palestinians to make the critical concessions needed to reach a peace agreement.
The international conference that was convened by France on June 3rd in Paris to advance the Israeli-Palestinian peace process ended up without concretely establishing specific measures that would persuade both parties to resume negotiations in order to reach a peace agreement. The joint communiqué issued following the conference stated “The participants discussed possible ways in which the international community could help advance the prospects for peace, including by providing meaningful incentives to the parties to make peace.”
Although the conferees agreed to reconvene again later this year and offer some incentives to both sides to restart the negotiations in earnest, I maintain that no incentives, however extensive and compelling, will succeed unless preceded by a period of reconciliation between Israel and the Palestinians. In fact, if Netanyahu or Abbas refuse to engage in a process of reconciliation, this would strongly suggest that they are not interested in reaching a peace agreement, let alone making the major concessions necessary to achieve peace.
While incentives will eventually become necessary to lock in an agreement, there are three essential impediments that must first be mitigated in order to change the Israelis’ and Palestinians’ perception of each other to enable them to negotiate in good faith.
The three elements are: the embedded distrust between the two sides; concern over national security; and the illusions that significant constituencies on both sides continue to entertain, which ultimately deny each other’s right to an independent state of their own.
Distrust: The pervasive and mutual distrust cannot be mitigated through negotiation nor dispelled by simply agreeing to begin to trust one another—it is a process that must be nurtured over a period of time. According to the philosopher Jay Bernstein, “trust relations provide the ethical substance of everyday living… Trust relations are relations of mutual recognition in which we acknowledge our mutual standing and vulnerability with respect to one another.”
Distrust remains one of the most daunting problems that continues to haunt both sides and has become engrained in the minds of nearly every Israeli and Palestinian, as neither has made any effort to mitigate it. On the contrary, they have and continue to take demonstrable actions on the ground in ways that only deepen distrust.
By way of example, Israel continued building and expanding settlements, Hamas constructed tunnels in Gaza for offensive purposes, certain Palestinians and settlers engaged in wanton violence, and leaders on both sides displayed public acrimony. Moreover, personal chemistry and communication between the Israeli and Palestinian leadership was and still is completely absent.
Continuing distrust has automatically created a dogmatic attitude of stubbornness and reinforced assumptions about each other’s true intentions. Moreover, the absence of trust leads to social paralysis and the loss of hope while evoking fear, a deep sense of uncertainty, and the inability to foster social bonds. As a result, both sides became suspicious of every action taken by the other regardless of how well-intended they were, as mutual skepticism led to the sense of futility in making any concessions.
To be sure, little effort was made to engage one another through mutual conciliatory interactions to cultivate trust. Instead, they used the public stage to malign the other, further deepening hatred and distrust rather than building new bridges. As a result, the absence of trust has sunk too deep to be simply rectified at the negotiating table. It must thus be nurtured to allow both sides to view one another as a potential partner worthy of being trusted.
In the final analysis, distrust can be mitigated only through people-to-people interactions. Both sides need to take confidence-building measures to faithfully demonstrate they can, in fact, begin the process of learning to trust one another and commit to reaching mutually agreed-upon terms of engagement that will pave the way for a durable peace. Some of these measures could include but are certainly not limited to the following:
Israel can stop or at the very least slow the expansion of settlements during this period. It should bring an end to collective punishment and night raids, and work closely with Palestinian internal security to prevent extremists on either side from undermining this process. Another measure is releasing nonviolent Palestinian prisoners, or allowing them increased visitation rights so families can regularly visit.
The Palestinians can also take certain measures, beginning with stopping all public incitement, working closely with Israel in pursuit of extremists within the territories, engaging regularly in a positive public narrative, openly talking about the need to reconcile with Israel, and stressing the inevitability of coexistence between both peoples. To be sure, people-to-people interactions over a period of at least 18 months will be necessary to cultivate a degree of trust that would allow both sides to view the other through a more positive lens.
National security: There is a current state of fear and anxiety for the future experienced by both sides, which is constantly fed by a deep sense of national insecurity. This concern is largely informed by past experiences, as both can in fact make a strong case as to why they are troubled by national security concerns. For the Israelis, these experiences include random shelling, acts of extreme violence like the multiple stabbing incidents over the last 8 months, car bombings, and existential threats emanating from Iran and groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. By constantly invoking a sense of insecurity, it became the state’s mantra, often prompting Israel to take uncalled for measures to presumably enhance its security while further aggravating the Palestinians’ sense of insecurity.
In regards to the Palestinians, their constant and overarching fear is related to their understanding that Israel is and will always remain the most powerful state in the region, and that under no circumstances can they ever overwhelm Israel through force. To paraphrase Henry Kissinger, Israel’s absolute security renders the Palestinians absolutely insecure. That sense of insecurity fosters a constant concern often reinforced by fear of night raids, home demolitions, loss of territory, and administrative detention, among others. The fact that Israel can take, at any time, measures deemed necessary under the guise of protecting its own national security has created a deep sense of vulnerability among the Palestinians.
In addition, regional volatility and the development of events over which neither side has complete control do not allow them to take security for granted. The sweeping regional upheaval, including the civil war in Syria, the rise of ISIS, and the impact of the violent Sunni-Shiite conflict, has a direct and indirect effect on the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians and creates heightened anxiety, which inhibits making any concession that might affect their national and individual security.
Even if both sides are persuaded to stop all activities that promote or instigate concerns over national security, it will still take time to fully collaborate and regularly take consistent and mutually complementary practical steps of reconciliation to allay some of these national security concerns.
Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a professor of international relations at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU. He teaches courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies. Email: alon@alonben-meir.com
Comments
comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/incentives-peace-part-1/ | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/a7ded87dedeb53416bf4c946217d50229cc6318359cb7f7382104d3273686c1f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:55:22 | null | 2016-08-25T18:37:12 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Fsutijet-remains-control-ciputra-golfpreneur-tournament-presented-panasonic%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SUTIJET-REMAINS-IN-CONTROL-AT-CIPUTRA-GOLFPRENEUR-TOURNAMENT-PRESENTED-BY-PANASONIC-s.jpg | en | null | SUTIJET REMAINS IN CONTROL AT CIPUTRA GOLFPRENEUR TOURNAMENT PRESENTED BY PANASONIC | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | PRESS RELEASE
Jakarta, August 25: Thailand’s Sutijet Kooratanapisan continued his red-hot form by carding a second round six-under-par 66 to stay ahead of the chasing pack in pole position at the US$100,000 Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament presented by Panasonic on Thursday.
Thailand’s Suradit Yongcharoenchai, made his move by taking outright second after a 67 while American Johannes Veerman, who is seeking his second Asian Development Tour (ADT) win in two months, remained on track to achieve that when he powered home with a flawless 66 to take third place at the BSD course by Damai Indah Golf.
Having taken a share of the overnight lead, Sutijet resumed his charge convincingly with an outward 33.
With memories of his maiden ADT victory in April where he fired a stunning 60 on the final day to claim his breakthrough still fresh in his mind, the Thai continued to ride on his good form with an inward 33 before go on to compile a two-day total of 14-under-par 130.
“I feel like I’m playing the way I did on the final day in Johor Bahru where I missed the magical 59 by one shot.
“I’m feeling very confident especially around this golf course after two days and my only wish for the next two days is to keep up this good form,” said Sutijet.
Suradit, who started the day in third place, enjoyed another rewarding round which came courtesy of six birdies and a bogey.
The 17-year-old was once again a figure of consistency and is ready for the weekend challenge.
“I played well again and that showed in my card. I was just unfortunate with that only bogey on seven, but otherwise it was a good day and I look forward to the final two rounds,” said Suradit.
Veerman is also hopeful of maintaining his rich vein of form especially after securing his ADT breakthrough in Chinese Taipei barely a month ago.
“It’s all about hard work and a consistent game plan. I’ve also learnt how to manage my emotions on the golf course better and I’m really proud of my efforts today,” said the American, who marked his bogey-free card with six birdies.
The winner of the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament presented by Panasonic will take home a prize purse of US$17,500 and receive six OWGR points while the top six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale.
For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com
Leading second round scores
130 – Sutijet KOORATANAPISAN (THA) 64-66
132- Suradit YONGCHAROENCHAI (THA) 65-67
133 – Johannes VEERMAN (USA) 67-66
134- John Michael O’TOOLE (USA) 66-68, Nirun SAE-UENG (THA) 67-67, Nicholas FUNG (MAS) 69-65
135- Irfan YUSOFF (MAS) 67-68, Rinaldi ADIYANDONO (INA) 68-67, Oscar ZETTERWALL (SWE) 69-66, Micah Lauren SHIN (USA) 66-69
136 – Scott BARR (AUS) 71-65, Johnson POH (SIN) 68-68, Gavin GREEN (MAS) 67-70, Arie Irawan (MAS) 67-70, Rory HIE (INA) 66-71
Comments
comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/sutijet-remains-control-ciputra-golfpreneur-tournament-presented-panasonic/ | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/3e6e2fad741626c1432f990c6d952ac9668c1d928071c9fa1d42b0217ad43e67.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T12:50:46 | null | 2016-08-28T17:00:06 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Fallegations-hindu-christian-persecution-bangladesh%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Allegations-Hindu-Christian-persecution-in-Bangladesh-s.jpg | en | null | Allegations Hindu-Christian persecution in Bangladesh | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Staff Reporter
Jatiyo Hindu Mohajote (National Hindu Grand Alliance) leader, Gobindo Chandra Pramanik, at a roundtable discussion on 13 August alleged, over 30 thousand Hindus were persecuted in Bangladesh since 2001. He said, police submitted final report falsely in the case on destroying 11 Hindu temples in 2012 in Chittagong district’s Hathazari area.
Meanwhile, Rosaline Costa, editor of Hotline Bangladesh, told the Catholic News Service (CNS), and Christian Times that, persecution on Christians are continuing in Bangladesh. Costa is now in USA told news media she won’t return to Bangladesh. She currently lives in New York City.
Comments
comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/allegations-hindu-christian-persecution-bangladesh/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/1c3d75ef9485949880c380df7332fec1ba399649be0a937aaf9fe40a6351eac2.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:58:33 | null | 2016-08-22T23:41:04 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Fform-nirun-takes-charge-pgm-mnrb-sarawak-championship%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IN-FORM-NIRUN-TAKES-CHARGE-AT-PGM-MNRB-SARAWAK-CHAMPIONSHIP-slider.jpg | en | null | IN-FORM NIRUN TAKES CHARGE AT PGM MNRB SARAWAK CHAMPIONSHIP | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Press Release
Sarawak, August 17: Nirun Sae-Ueng of Thailand continued his fine form by firing a five-under-par 67 to lead in the opening round of the PGM MNRB Sarawak Championship on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old Nirun, who won on the domestic circuit last week, posted six birdies and one bogey to lead by one shot from Micah Lauren Shin of the United States at the RM200,000 (approximately US$46,600) Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.
Australian duo Rick Kulacz, a former Asian Tour winner, and Darren Tan were bunched in tied third place alongside Oskar Arvidsson of Sweden, Panuwat Muenlek of Thailand and Baxter Reeves of the United States on 69s.
Crediting a hot putter, Nirun holed all his birdies from inside 10-feet to set the pace at the Kelab Golf Sarawak as he chases for a second ADT victory.
He is riding a rich vein of form after claiming an impressive victory in Thailand last week. “The greens here are tricky so you need to judge your putts properly. Luckily, my putting is very good so I’m very confident,” said Nirun.
“My tee shots were not as good as I would like it to be but my short game helped me return with a good score. I’ve been practising a lot on my putting and I’m very confident on the greens. It was the same when I won in Thailand,” he added.
Abel Tam was the best local performer as he shared eighth place following a round of 70 which was matched by Suradit Yongcharoenchai of Thailand, Danny Masrin of Indonesia and Mathiam Keyser of South Africa.
The ADT will reward the top-five finishers on the Order of Merit at the end of this season with Asian Tour cards for 2017.
Like all other ADT events, the PGM MNRB Sarawak Championship will offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points to the top six players and ties based on a sliding scale.
For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.
Leading first round scores:
67 – Nirun SAE-UENG (THA)
68 – Micah Lauren SHIN (USA)
69 – Oskar ARVIDSSON (SWE), Darren TAN (AUS), Panuwat MUENLEK (THA), Rick KULACZ (AUS), Baxter REEVES (USA)
70 – Suradit YONGCHAROENCHAI (THA), Danny MASRIN (INA), Mathiam KEYSER (RSA), Abel TAM (MAS)
71 – LIU Yan-wei (CHN), Minseok KIM (KOR), Pijit PETCHKASEM (THA), M. Sasidaran (MAS), Annop TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA)
72 – Wilson CHOO (MAS), Shaifubari MUDA (MAS), KHOR Kheng Hwai (MAS), John Michael O’TOOLE (USA)
73 – Jose ROLZ (GTM), Rizal AMIN (MAS), Johannes VEERMAN (USA), Keegan KAM (MAS), Mohd Amli MOHIYADEEN (MAS), HSIEH Chi-hsien (TWN), Brandon LAU Ka Kin (MAS), Mitchell SLORACH (SIN)
74 – Arie Irawan (MAS), KOH Deng Shan (SIN), Sukree OTHMAN (MAS), Quincy QUEK (SIN), Katsunari TAKAHASHI (JPN), Aman RAJ (IND), Kenneth DE SILVA (MAS), Blake SNYDER (USA), Solomon Emilio ROSIDIN (MAS), Hans JAMIL (MAS), Mohd Iylia JAMIL (MAS), Josh SALAH (USA), Airil Rizman ZAHARI (MAS), Shion OKAWA (JPN)
About the Asian Development Tour
The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.
Comments
comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/form-nirun-takes-charge-pgm-mnrb-sarawak-championship/ | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/2a48711345ae37e970fac143ba066573ae934377dbda9e0b745962e7db2a9e79.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:57:45 | null | 2016-08-23T21:06:09 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Firan-preparing-liberate-saudi-arabia-monarchism%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Iran-preparing-to-liberate-Saudi-Arabia-from-monarchism.jpg | en | null | Iran preparing to 'liberate' Saudi Arabia from 'monarchism' | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Blitz Exclusive
In the similar manner as United States, with direct participations of Pakistan created Taliban, Iran is recruiting tens of thousands of Shia fighters from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Palestine and African nations for its Liberation Army. This unit is being trained by Islamic Revolutionary Guard members. Although Tehran is using their commonly practiced trick called taqiya, saying the purpose of formation of Liberation Array is to fight the wars in Yemen and Syria, the real agenda behind this multi-billion dollar plot is to ‘topple down’ the government of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and establish ‘Islamic rule’ by making an end to monarchism.
Western intelligence agencies are aware of this conspiracy of Tehran, but may refrain from sharing such information with Riyadh for reason unknown. Iranian top policy makers are optimistic of building the size of this Liberation Army to a ‘substantial number’ so that it can ‘fight and win’ any battle. Key purpose of this Liberation Army would be to ‘liberate’ the Haramain-Sharifain or two holy mosque of the Muslims in Mecca and Medina from ‘occupation of the illegitimate monarchs’ and also to establish Shia dominance or ‘Shia Power’ in the Middle East. A small group of the Saudi Royal family also are secretly aligned with Tehran’s ambition of ‘ousting’ the king through revolt or coup. Members of the Liberation Army are not only being given military and commando trainings but also are being brainwashed against monarchism in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East.
Comments
comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/iran-preparing-liberate-saudi-arabia-monarchism/ | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/2879011a0611a0e3ced558d4e02084b9479c2a9aa27a7c900daabeca3b0f4d33.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T18:50:56 | null | 2016-08-28T23:24:13 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Fmuch-popular-leaders-social-media%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/How-much-popular-the-leaders-are-on-the-social-media-s.jpg | en | null | How much popular the leaders are on the social media? | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Special Correspondent
In today’s world of technological advancement, when billions of people are connected via social media either from a smartphone or laptop etc, a large number of leaders and public figures do communicate with fans and followers through Facebook, Twitter etc.
Searching any of the social media sites, we can find presence of these leaders either on an account or fan page or both.
Weekly Blitz has conducted a brief survey on the Facebook to ascertain the fan base of some of the selected leaders such as Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Angela Merkel, Narendra Modi, Sheikh Hasina, Khaleda Zia, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Yingluck Shinawatra, Rodrigo Duterte, Vladimir Putin, Benjamin Netanyahu, Nawaz Sharif, Bashar Al Assad, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un, Ban Ki Moon, and others. We even checked Pakistan’s ex foreign minister – the most glamorous and scandalous Hina Rabbani Khar and her boyfriend Bilawal Bhutto. We did check fan pages of Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, Prof Muhammad Yunus, Taslima Nasrin and others.
On Facebook, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia has more than double numbers of fans in comparing to those of Bangladesh Awami League chief and current prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
The single of Khaleda Zia has 1,498,490 fans while Sheikh Hasina has 450,602 and 138,301 fans in two of her pages.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has 35,598,681 fans, Soniya Gandhi 261,872 & 170,158 fans in her two pages. Rahul Gandhi has 596,230 fans. Number of fans of the top two leaders of Indian National Congress – the mother and her son jointly stands almost at fraction of the total fans of modi.
In Pakistan, prime minister Nawaz Sharif has 160,608 fans while Pakistan People’s Party chief, Bilawal Bhutto has 46,610 and Hina Rabbani Khar 71,726 fans.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has 661,263 fans, Chinese President Xi Jinping 16,916, DPRK leader Marshal Kim Jong Un 18,386 fans, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 8,843,385 fans, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad 77,024 fans, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon 84,575, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu 1,847,929, Philippine’s president Rodrigo Duterte 100,047, ex prime minister of Thailand, Yingluck Shinawatra 5,686,828 fans and Donald Trump has 10,464,687 fans.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has 149,309 fans and Edward Snowden 88,113 fans. Prof Muhammad Yunus has 1,264,192 fans. Feminist writer Taslima Nasrin has 86,199 fans on her Facebook page.
We welcome readers to provide more data on social media accounts, including number of their fans in the comment box so that this report becomes more resourceful.
Comments
comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/much-popular-leaders-social-media/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/5fa62420ad855f739652d87db3ce106c731874fc51e96ec5213d52c31c41e4e1.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T14:50:50 | null | 2016-08-28T19:13:52 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklyblitz.net%2F2016%2F08%2Frodrigo-duterte-the-statesman-of-philippine%2F.json | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Rodrigo-Duterte-the-statesman-of-Philippine-s.jpg | en | null | Rodrigo Duterte: the statesman of Philippine | null | null | www.weeklyblitz.net | Ahmed Zayed
When he was campaigning in the President election, naive and ignorant media around the world were competing in tarnishing has image In their wrong prophecy, Rodrigo Duterte was not going to win. There had been dozens of ill-motivated propaganda against him. But we, in Weekly Blitz never got puzzled or misled at all. We knew, patriotic and peace-loving people of Philippine will definitely vote for Mr. Duterte. Because they were tired of the chaotic and corruption plagued democracy. They were tired of bandits like Ferdinand Marcos and his Successors. Filipinos were tired of rampant corruption of politicians, civil servants and members of law enforcement agencies. They were tired of massive spread of narcotics and drugs, which were destroying the society, especially younger generation.
Filipinos knew how the local casinos were becoming safe haven of illegal money. How millions and billions of black money were entering Philippines, while the poor were becoming poorer. jobless people were almost compelled in joining drug rackets just for the sake of earning few Pesos for survival. Even bank executives like Maia Santos Deguito had to join hands with international money thieves, may be for a better or ‘comfortable’ future. We do think, Maia Deguito is just a small fry in the stealing of USD 81 million from Bangladesh Bank. There are big fishes inside the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation and casinos in Philippine. We strongly believe, more ‘cats’ will be out of the bag soon. Special thanks to The Inquirer newspaper for exposing this story.
People ask, will President Rodrigo Duterte be the Mahathir Mohamad of Philippine? With confidence we can say- yes he will be. We also hope, the communist guerrillas will sit for a peaceful settlement as insurgencies won’t bring anything good to them. They should look into the world history to know insurgencies of LTTE (in Sri Lanka) or IRA (in Ireland) had to finally get defeated and eliminated. If communist guerrillas think they have path of destruction and terror and help President Duterte in transforming Philippine as the land of prosperity, peace and smile.
President Duterte’s noble battle against corruption, drug & crime is no easy task. Because those evil forces might have used a part of their evil money in buying politicians, rights groups, media and civil-military administration. They have ‘lobbyists’ in various countries in the West, who would try portraying Mr. Duterte’s good battle and noble efforts as ‘cruel’, ‘inhuman’ or they may continue propaganda claiming human rights are being violated in today’s Philippines. They may hire media to show pictures of spouses of drug peddlers crying on the street hugging dead body.
But, of course, there are media who wont be purchased and they will support president Rodrigo Duterte and his noble mission. The Philippine authorities need as much information they can as to how drugs (such as ice pill, yaba or meth) are entering the country. Through which route and methods. They also need information on corrupt individuals and trails of their wealth.
Weekly Blitz, as an investigative newspaper will continue to look for such information through its contacts around the world and will publish. We call upon everyone to send us information on corruption, black money, drugs, terrorists, militants etc. We always shall keep our sources undisclosed.
We also welcome scoops, data and documents from Wikileaks, IFIJ and everyone else around the world. Blitz, as a newspaper shall continue to support genuine statesman and courageous leaders like President Rodrigo Duterte and other.
Keep eyes on Weekly Blitz for unbiased, unmolested and exclusive reports and analysis. Please LIKE us @ Facebook and Twitter.
Comments
comments | http://www.weeklyblitz.net/2016/08/rodrigo-duterte-the-statesman-of-philippine/ | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.weeklyblitz.net/536a4f98b01d34c22552dd2a6fb479c8edf9b86456b99f1ae700831df91dd6dc.json |
[
"David Wamuha"
] | 2016-08-26T12:54:29 | null | 2016-06-12T21:18:56 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fnewsfromafrica.org%2Fpolice-zimbabwe-arrest-youths-protesting-mugabes-rule%2F.json | http://newsfromafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/smithmoss_twostepsbackwardsforzimbabwe_protest.jpg | en | null | Police In Zimbabwe Arrest Youths Protesting Mugabe’s Rule | null | null | newsfromafrica.org | Police in Zimbabwe have arrested 15 young people for demonstrating against President Robert Mugabe.
Five of the protesters, arrested Wednesday, were charged Friday in Harare Magistrate Court with resisting arrest and robbing two people who had passed by Africa Unity Square. Bail was set at $1,000 each.
The protesters’ attorney, Obey Shava of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, said the charges were trumped up to intimidate them.
“I know that most of them are not able to raise $50 as bail,” Shava said. “So effectively they have been denied bail.
“The charges are very weak. These are manufactured charges against my clients. I am sure you heard that I have raised a complaint that there was an attempted abduction against my client by law enforcement agents. It is not a surprise that they are now charged with robbery and theft. We are not surprised at all.”
Ten more activists at Africa Unity Square were arrested Friday.
Outside the court, other youths sang and vowed to continue demonstrating. They said they were fed up with Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence 36 years ago.
They named their movement the “16 Days Occupation,” as they planned to camp for 16 days and nights at Africa Unity Square, which overlooks Zimbabwe’s Parliament. The arrests began on the ninth day.
In all, about 200 people have camped out in the square. Most of them remained there Friday.
The movement is just the latest sign of mounting opposition to Mugabe, 92. Earlier this week, a group of church leaders issued a statement saying the country needed “transformation” to get out of its long-running economic problems.
One of those charged Friday was the brother of Itai Dzamara, an anti-Mugabe activist who has not been seen since March 2015. Rights groups said he was abducted by men believed to be state security agents. | http://newsfromafrica.org/police-zimbabwe-arrest-youths-protesting-mugabes-rule/ | en | 2016-06-12T00:00:00 | newsfromafrica.org/83bb033f31588ce7b748ba01dcb0e0298a2dcf8c3aff1766b2ab8ee124f3f21f.json |
[
"David Wamuha"
] | 2016-08-26T12:50:28 | null | 2016-01-09T22:05:10 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fnewsfromafrica.org%2F107-2%2F.json | http://newsfromafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/favicon.ico | en | null | Kenyan Teacher Jailed For Radicalizing pupils | null | null | newsfromafrica.org | MOMBASA-
A Kenyan Muslim teacher has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for radicalising primary school children in Kilifi County in the coastal region.
Samuel Wanjala Wabwile alias Salim Mohamed was however acquitted on Thursday of being a member of and recruiting six children for Somalia-based militia group Al Shabaab.
Wabwile was accused of promoting extreme jihadism including violence as a means of advancing religious change by teaching children to fight at a mosque where he was an Imam.
In her judgment, Mombasa Principal Magistrate Diana Mochache said the accused preyed on the pupils’ feeble mind to impart his ideological beliefs.
“The accused took advantage of the poverty rate in the region by offering the children some food using it as a bait to trap them, most children walked bare feet and their uniforms were tattered,” said Ms Mochache, adding that Wabwile “deserves no mercy, he needs protection from himself, he has already sold his soul to the devil and was on the process of selling others souls.”
The accused denied having committed the offense and instead blamed teachers of having coached the children to testify falsely against him, the court said.
Only one pupil spoke well of him but the magistrate said having observed the child’s demeanor, the learner withheld some information from the court, an indicator that the minor was radicalized.
The accused is said to have committed the offense on diverse dates between January 8, 2013 and June 19, 2015 at Gotani location in Kilifi County.
On his acquittal, the court said“Having established that the accused is not a member of the outlawed Al Shabaab, it therefore follows that he could not have recruited the pupils to become members of the Al-Shabaab.”
The accused is a former Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and IT student at Maseno University in Kenya where he was admitted in 2011 but was later expelled. | http://newsfromafrica.org/107-2/ | en | 2016-01-09T00:00:00 | newsfromafrica.org/bf93c6be4679b1f1e0b21eea3adb514a3923a82c6971c4f0fccb0f0e4fd98c8d.json |
[
"David Wamuha"
] | 2016-08-26T12:46:53 | null | 2016-01-05T19:55:42 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fnewsfromafrica.org%2Fdrc-president-grants-amnesty-to-jailed-dissidents%2F.json | http://newsfromafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/0x600.jpg | en | null | DRC President Grants Amnesty to Jailed Dissidents | null | null | newsfromafrica.org | GOMA, DRC
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) president has granted an amnesty for prisoners convicted of belonging to a banned movement, the Bundu dia Kongo (BDK), and to prisoners over age 70, with some exceptions. He also reiterated his call for a national political dialogue.
The BDK describes itself as a religious movement campaigning for greater autonomy for the Bas Congo region in southwestern DRC. Its leader, Ne Muanda Nsemi, claims to have been guided by visions.
Some of his followers, armed with stones and sticks, clashed with security forces in early 2008. The human rights organization Freedom House said around 100 BDK members died at that time, and 150 were arrested.
Recently, Ne Muanda Nsemi backed DRC President Joseph Kabila’s plan for a political dialogue and appealed for an amnesty for BDK prisoners, which has now been granted. Kabila also has amnestied prisoners over age 70, except those convicted of offenses such as war crimes, corruption, sexual violence and threatening state security.
In an address to the nation on New Year’s Eve, Kabila stressed his intention to hold a political dialogue in 2016.
“Through the political dialogue,” he said, “we must reach a consensus on various questions in order to lay a new basis for forthcoming elections.”
A spokesman for the country’s biggest opposition party, the UDPS, Augustin Kabuya, said the ideas in Kabila’s speech are good but behind the ideas there is a hidden agenda. Kabuya added that the UDPS cannot join in the dialogue just for the sake of dialogue.
“We cannot gloss over what’s happening,” he said. “People are being arrested and convicted unjustly, so how can we trust the regime enough to join in the dialogue?”
Kabuya questioned whether the promised amnesty would take place.
Opposition parties have accused Kabila of calling a dialogue in order to hang onto power beyond his constitutional two-term limit, which is up next December.
A political analyst, Felicien Kabamba, told local media recently that Congolese are afraid of what could happen in 2016.
He said the head of state has reassured the population that there will not be any bloodshed, but people also expect him to say something about his own future, after December next year, and nothing has been said about that. | http://newsfromafrica.org/drc-president-grants-amnesty-to-jailed-dissidents/ | en | 2016-01-05T00:00:00 | newsfromafrica.org/8589b98c44b345346ccd90016b64a0f388336dcc91dd3d75ad523dc401e2b491.json |
[
"David Wamuha"
] | 2016-08-26T12:52:02 | null | 2016-06-09T23:01:27 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fnewsfromafrica.org%2Fliberia-declared-ebola-free-4th-time%2F.json | http://newsfromafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/87720941_030721511-1.jpg | en | null | Liberia Declared Ebola-free for 4th Time | null | null | newsfromafrica.org | Liberia is officially free of the Ebola virus, the World Health Organization announced Thursday, after the West African country successfully passed 42 days without a confirmed case of this often-fatal disease.
“WHO commends Liberia’s government and people on their effective response to this recent re-emergence of Ebola,” said Dr. Alex Gasasira, the organization’s representative in Liberia. “WHO will continue to support Liberia in its effort to prevent, detect and respond to suspected cases.”
This is the fourth time that Liberia has been declared free of the virus since the epidemic began in December 2013. The most recent flare-up was traced to a woman who’d been exposed to the virus in Guinea and traveled to Liberia with her children. They subsequently became infected.
By late last year, when the WHO declared the Ebola outbreak virtually over, the virus had killed more than 11,000 people in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, the three most heavily affected West African countries. | http://newsfromafrica.org/liberia-declared-ebola-free-4th-time/ | en | 2016-06-09T00:00:00 | newsfromafrica.org/dc6d0f90980634606a937a614c2d73eaa1c75a8582b0e0dd77d0d80463819836.json |
[
"David Wamuha"
] | 2016-08-26T12:51:01 | null | 2016-01-15T20:25:42 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fnewsfromafrica.org%2Fchibok-girls-parents-unhappy-meeting-buhari%2F.json | http://newsfromafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/pictures-year-most-moving.jpg | en | null | Chibok Girls Parents Unhappy After Meeting Buhari | null | null | newsfromafrica.org | A spokeswoman for the “Bring Back Our Girls” movement in Nigeria has again said it is the duty of the Nigerian government to rescue the Chibok girls from Boko Haram captivity, regardless which political party is in power.
Aisha Yesufu said liberating the girls is not a privilege but a constitutional right that the Nigerian government must fulfill.
The Islamist extremist group kidnapped more than 270 girls from a boarding school in Chibok, northern Nigeria in April 2014.
On Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari met with about 300 parents and sympathizers of the girls, and promised he will launch a new inquiry into the circumstances leading to the kidnapping.
But the parents left the meeting feeling less optimistic that the government would do whatever is necessary to liberate the girls, Yesufu said.
“First of all, the president failed to make any connection with the parents of the girls who today have spent 21 months since they were abducted. There was no personal connection. The president finished his talk at the microphone and walked out. That was an opportunity for us as a nation to connect with the parents and after that apologize to them for what has happened and make them feel that they are not alone in this whole tragedy that has befallen them,” she said.
Yesufu said Buhari basically reiterate what he had said earlier, that he had no credible intelligence on the whereabouts of the Chibok girls and that he is still waiting for the credible leadership of the Boko Haram group to come meet him and negotiate their release.
“Also, there were so many things that he did mention, the fact that the fight against terrorism that he has embarked on should be appreciated; and also that the Chibok girls were not abducted during his regime. They were abducted during the previous regime,” she said.
But Yesufu said whoever is president of Nigeria is responsible for rescuing the Chibok girls.
“First of all, there is no vacuum in the governance irrespective of during whose administration the girls were abducted. It is the duty of the Nigerian government to ensure that the Chibok girls are rescued, and whoever is head of the Nigerian government is responsible for the rescue of the Chibok girls,” Yesufu said.
She said Buhari also told the parents that his government is fighting a war on corruption, and that a lot of money that was supposed to be used to arm the military in the fight against Boko Haram went into the hands of individuals and that his government is trying to recover the stolen money.
Yesufu said the Bring Back Our Girls movement will continue to agitate until the girls are released.
“We will not allow Nigerians, we will not allow the government to forget the girls or treat the demand for their release as an irritating issue. We will focus on it, and we will keep calling on the government to ensure that the girls are brought back home. It doesn’t matter during what administration the Chibok girls were abducted. All that matters is that the Nigerian government must rescue the girls, and in doing so must realize that they are not doing the Chibok girls a privilege by rescuing them,” she said. | http://newsfromafrica.org/chibok-girls-parents-unhappy-meeting-buhari/ | en | 2016-01-15T00:00:00 | newsfromafrica.org/6e5f6fbe0e645555603cc7187d5ad12785db16e080bcae7e58a5519ec3a11777.json |
[
"David Wamuha"
] | 2016-08-26T12:55:23 | null | 2016-06-13T22:16:23 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fnewsfromafrica.org%2Ftherapist-says-broken-pistorius-hospitalized-not-jailed%2F.json | http://newsfromafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Oscar-Pistorius1.jpg | en | null | Therapist Says 'Broken' Pistorius Should Be Hospitalized, Not Jailed | null | null | newsfromafrica.org | The sentencing hearing for South African runner Oscar Pistorius began in Johannesburg Monday. The former Olympic athlete faces at least 15 years in jail after an appeals court overturned a
The former icon is now a broken man, Oscar Pistorius’ psychologist says — and needs a hospital, not a prison cell.
The athlete was back in the dock Monday after an appeals court convicted him of murder for killing his girlfriend in 2013. Now he faces a minimum sentence of 15 years. The sentencing hearing will continue Tuesday before Judge Thokozile Masipa.
Psychologist Jonathan Scholtz said the events of the past few years have taken a severe toll on Pistorius.
“Mr. Pistorius has elevated levels of anxiety that are clinically significant. These include symptoms and signs of social phobia, agoraphobia and panic disorder,” said Scholtz. “In terms of his general mental health it was found that he had deteriorated since 2014. Apart from a worsening in his clinical condition, he has become despondent, lethargic and disinvested, leaving his future in the hands of God. In layman’s terms, one would describe him as broken. In my opinion, his current condition warrants hospitalization.”
Indeed, it has been a trying few years.
Pistorius says he is constantly racked by fear and anxiety. He continues to insist that he mistook his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, for an intruder when he shot four times through a locked bathroom door, killing her, on the night of Valentine’s Day, 2013.
Prosecutors argued that he meant to kill Steenkamp when when he shot through the door at his Pretoria home.
The lengthy murder trial was closely watched around the world, and outrage ensued when Judge Masipa convicted him in 2014 of culpable homicide — equivalent to the U.S. charge of manslaughter — and gave him a five-year sentence.
He was released on parole in October after a year of time served, only to see his conviction overturned and replaced with a murder conviction in December.
Scholtz says he believes Pistorius would be detrimentally affected by more prison time, and that he should instead be given a chance to make a positive contribution to society.
But for the most part, these pleas for mercy have been drowned out by howls of opposition. Recently, Scholtz said, a shopper at a supermarket complained about Pistorius’ presence in the store and demanded that he leave.
Just four short years ago, Oscar Pistorius was riding high on a wave of public adoration after being the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics.
Today, he’s greyer, thinner, a little bit more bent — and his life has been redefined not by his achievements, but by the life he took on that horrible night. | http://newsfromafrica.org/therapist-says-broken-pistorius-hospitalized-not-jailed/ | en | 2016-06-13T00:00:00 | newsfromafrica.org/75a26493c3ba18e4102604e7abfb40ed2d3625a244db3173901d9d4fc1684a85.json |
[
"David Wamuha"
] | 2016-08-26T12:56:54 | null | 2016-06-12T21:23:36 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fnewsfromafrica.org%2Fmalawi-traditional-healers-deny-link-albino-killings%2F.json | http://newsfromafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/al.jpg | en | null | Malawi Traditional Healers Deny Link to Albino Killings | null | null | newsfromafrica.org | The high court in Malawi has banned so-called witch doctors in a bid to reduce demand for albino body parts. Malawi’s albino association has praised the ruling, but traditional healers have vowed to fight it, saying they are not involved in magic or murder.
The high court’s ruling last week stemmed from a complaint filed by three residents of the city of Mzuzu in northern Malawi. One of them said she paid a witch doctor a lot of money after he promised a charm that would make her ex-lover take her back.
“One of the clients was complaining that the source of the deaths of albinos in the country is these witch doctors because what they do is that they prescribe body parts of albinos, like bones,” said George Kadzipatike, the lawyer for the complainants.
Those false claims have led to an alarming uptick in attacks on albinos in Malawi in the past two years.
The judge issued an injunction against what he called “witch doctors, traditional healers, charm sellers, fortune tellers and magicians,” and ads for their services.
The ban will not go into effect until the plaintiffs pay to publish the injunction in local media for seven consecutive days.
Traditional healers, known locally as herbalists, say they will challenge the ruling. They say they are not involved in magic or the trafficking of albino body parts.
“To us, it is unfair because there is no way we can combine human body [parts] and something which is going to be consumed,” said Robins Zaniko, the general secretary for the International Traditional Medicine Council of Malawi. “Because what we mainly give out to people is traditional medicine, which is consumable. We give people [medicine] to drink, to eat so that they can be cured from their various diseases.”
He says no herbalist has been among those arrested in connection with recent albino killings.
Timothy Mtambo, executive director of the Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, says banning all herbalists is not the answer.
“You can’t say we are banning everyone,” he said. “I would say we should have found mechanisms to make sure that we deal with those that are suspected and prove that [they] are responsible, rather than making a decision which is wholesale.”
In Malawi, it is common to consult herbalists for ailments such as mental illness, epilepsy and impotence.
“There are times when we go to the hospitals [and] they tell us that there is no medication, so we instead go to the herbalists,” said Mbayani resident Enock Chigalu.
At least 18 people with albinism have been killed since November 2014, and five more are missing, according to an Amnesty International report released this month. Amnesty says police have not done enough to investigate the crimes, and the punishments doled out are too lenient. | http://newsfromafrica.org/malawi-traditional-healers-deny-link-albino-killings/ | en | 2016-06-12T00:00:00 | newsfromafrica.org/05a0ad5ff15399b9c1787354f78ad26d45b6fd683e1855a1dc9680d1c086b035.json |
[
"David Wamuha"
] | 2016-08-26T12:52:33 | null | 2016-06-13T22:11:08 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fnewsfromafrica.org%2Fdrc-opposition-unites-president-kabila%2F.json | http://newsfromafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Joseph-Kabila.jpg | en | null | DRC Opposition Unites Against President Kabila | null | null | newsfromafrica.org | Leading opposition parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) say they have organized themselves under one umbrella called “Rassemblement” or “Rally” to force President Joseph Kabila to leave power.
Kabila’s second term concludes at the end of this year.
The new coalition was formed last week in Belgium and includes the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) led by veteran opposition figure Etienne Tshisekedi; the Dynamic Opposition, and the G7, which recently chose the governor of Katanga Province, Moise Katumbi, as its presidential candidate.
Vidiye Tshimanga is Vice President of Alternative 2016, one of the groups making up the new coalition. He said the new alliance will be led by veteran politician Tshisekedi.
“A lot of people thought some time ago that Mr. Katumbi was the leader of the opposition, but finally everybody knows and understands that he is really new in the opposition and he cannot handle all the opposition and this very important role. But Mr. Tshisekedi who is an opponent not only of Mr. Kabila the son, but also Kabila the father, and before that an opponent of Mobutu. Finally, we all recognize in him the leadership that we need today to lead all of us,” he said.
The political opposition in DRC has been plagued by disunity since 1960. For example, Vital Kamerhe, leader of the Union for the Congolese nation (UNC) did not attend the Belgium meeting.
Tshimanga said Kamerhe was represented at the Belgium meeting by two of his top lieutenants.
“Mr. Kamerhe did not come himself, but he sent his vice president and second vice president. So, the number two and number three of his party they came at this meeting in Belgium, and they signed this agreement with us. So, I supposed this means the UNC of Mr. Kamerhe is with us and understands that we have to be together in a common fight,” Tshimanga said.
Opposition groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been holding almost weekly nationwide rallies to force President Kabila to respect the constitution and step down at the end of his second term.
Kabila has been in power since 2001. The opposition has accused the president of purposely blocking elections so that he may stay in power.
Tshimanga said the new opposition agrees to talks with President Kabila if the president would respect UN Resolution 2277, which calls on the government and its national partners, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, to ensure a transparent and credible process towards holding presidential and legislative elections in November.
“We agree to sit with the Kabila camp if they will respect the UN Resolution 2277 and we will respect that also, and together we will find the solution to bring our country out of the mess we are in today because we don’t want any more wars,” Tshimanga said.
In addition to respecting UN Resolution 2277, Tshimanga said President Kabila must release all political prisoners and agree not to run for a third term.
He said both the government opposition and officials of the current government will discuss when to hold the election during the proposed “national dialogue” that President Kabila himself has been pushing. | http://newsfromafrica.org/drc-opposition-unites-president-kabila/ | en | 2016-06-13T00:00:00 | newsfromafrica.org/f64e6038546150533d465a33b77cba90009822b2c3aabdc181cb267acbd32fc8.json |
[
"David Wamuha"
] | 2016-08-26T12:51:32 | null | 2016-06-09T22:55:39 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fnewsfromafrica.org%2Fau-says-100-shabab-militants-killed-base-attack%2F.json | http://newsfromafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/gettyimages-507786212-203104a90ada6e99bdadab0658a14a6eec0b0cde-s900-c85.jpg | en | null | AU Says Over 100 Shabab Militants Killed in Base Attack | null | null | newsfromafrica.org | The African Union force in Somalia says soldiers killed more than 100 al-Shabab militants who attacked a military base Thursday.
Officials and residents say the militants set off a car bomb and then tried to storm the Ethiopian base in the village of Halgan, about 260 kilometers north of Mogadishu.
Colonel Joseph Kibet, a spokesman for the AU force AMISOM, said Somali service that Ethiopian and Somali government troops drove back the pre-dawn assault. “The initial reports say at least 110 militants were killed in the attack,” he said.
The Somali Ministry of Defense says at least 120 militants were killed.
The chairman of the village, Guhad Abdi Warsame, told journalists that al-Shabab launched two attacks, one targeting a housing area for Ethiopian troops, the other a base for the Somali government. He said both attacks failed and that the attackers’ “bodies lie in the village.”
Residents have confirmed that Ethiopian and government troops are in control of Halgan.
Al-Shabab’s official radio station, Andalus, says the group killed 43 Ethiopian troops in the attack and destroyed the base. The group told Reuters that it has lost 16 of its fighters.
Residents said at least 5 civilians were killed during the crossfire.
Suicide car bombs coupled with assaults on bases have been the hallmark of al-Shabab raids against AU bases in Somalia over the past year.
Previous attacks killed 54 Burundian soldiers in Leego town, 19 Ugandans in Janaale and more than 100 Kenyans in El-Adde.
The AU force been stationed in Somalia since 2007 to fight al-Shabab. The group, which has pledged allegiance to al-Qaida, wants to overthrow the Somali government and turn Somalia into a strict Islamist state. | http://newsfromafrica.org/au-says-100-shabab-militants-killed-base-attack/ | en | 2016-06-09T00:00:00 | newsfromafrica.org/8c553565bb8aa5a5731a4365a0f2e994e59a5825604e30478bd4be871b676a1f.json |
[
"David Wamuha"
] | 2016-08-26T12:54:55 | null | 2016-06-13T22:07:31 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fnewsfromafrica.org%2Ffighting-reported-eritrea-ethiopia-border%2F.json | http://newsfromafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Ethiopia2_cover.jpg | en | null | Fighting Reported on Eritrea-Ethiopia Border | null | null | newsfromafrica.org | Residents of a town on the Eritrea-Ethiopia border reported hearing sounds of heavy fighting Monday, as both countries accused each other of launching an attack.
The fighting appeared centered on the Eritrean town of Tsorona, which was a flashpoint during the two countries’ border war between 1998 and 2000.
Speaking to journalists, farmers on the Ethiopian side of the border said they heard gunfire early Sunday morning followed by the sounds of shelling and other heavy weaponry later in the day. They said gunfire continued into Monday.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
In a statement, Eritrea’s Ministry of Information accused Ethiopia’s government of unleashing an attack on what it called the Tsorona Central Front. “The purpose and ramifications of this attack are not clear,” the statement said.
Monday, Ethiopian Information Minister Getachew Reda said that “Ethiopian forces had to respond to a provocation from Eritrea.”
The 32-month border war, which ended in December 2000, killed an estimated 70,000 people. Relations between the two neighbors remain tense to this day. | http://newsfromafrica.org/fighting-reported-eritrea-ethiopia-border/ | en | 2016-06-13T00:00:00 | newsfromafrica.org/47bbd135b8a16d93afcf21a05f0814b935d6d3fcc7bda5eb353feb9670d328ce.json |
[
"David Wamuha"
] | 2016-08-26T12:47:21 | null | 2016-01-06T05:43:52 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fnewsfromafrica.org%2Ftoy-guns-banned-in-cameroon%2F.json | http://newsfromafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Cameroon-Flag.png | en | null | Toy Guns Banned in Cameroon | null | null | newsfromafrica.org | YAOUNDE—
The government of Cameroon announced last month that it has banned the importation, sale and use of toy guns. Officials say the ban is aimed at discouraging violence and improving public safety. Many people are applauding the ban, and some think it should be made law in parliament.
Cameroon announced the ban on toy guns last month shortly before the end-of-year feasts when people exchange gifts and buy toys for children.
Mani Dieudonne, an official charged with implementing the ban at Cameroon’s ministry of territorial administration, said officials made the decision because of the increasing threat of gun violence in the central African nation.
She said in one case, replica guns were used to commit armed robbery.
“A family in Douala was harassed and at the end when the police arrested them [the criminals], they noticed that they had but toy guns. Because the family had very little time to notice or to look at what the criminals were holding, they surrendered all they had,” said Dieudonne.
Cameroon’s national commission on human rights and freedoms has saluted the initiative and is asking for additional efforts to make sure the ban is effective.
There are still no laws on the books banning the use of toy guns in Cameroon. Sociologist Anni Doriane said it was imperative the country enact an anti-imitation firearms law.
She said toys should be made in respect of security norms because dangerous toys exist. She said society had ethics so people should avoid toys that seem to encourage violence and consider ethics in their choice of toys.
So far, no one has issued a legal challenge to the ban. The main question is how it can be enforced, especially without an actual law to back it up | http://newsfromafrica.org/toy-guns-banned-in-cameroon/ | en | 2016-01-06T00:00:00 | newsfromafrica.org/35613b717e8a03dddb5775c655688a97bf3f0f89b884b94578d5d98b1e517fe8.json |
[
"David Wamuha"
] | 2016-08-26T12:57:21 | null | 2016-06-09T22:58:31 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fnewsfromafrica.org%2Fhuman-rights-watch-urges-au-establish-hybrid-court-south-sudan%2F.json | http://newsfromafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/mac.jpg | en | null | Human Rights Watch Urges the AU to Establish a Hybrid Court for South Sudan | null | null | newsfromafrica.org | The U.S.-based Human Rights Watch is calling on the African Union to go ahead and set up the hybrid court, an international criminal court, that was part of the August 2015 South Sudan peace agreement to try alleged war crimes suspects.
Elise Keppler, Associate Director of the International Justice Program at Human Rights Watch, says setting up the court would prove that the African Union is committed to rejecting impunity in South Sudan and wants those who committed war crimes during the country’s civil war to be brought to justice.
This comes as South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his First Vice President Riek Machar jointly wrote an opinion article in Tuesday’s New York Times newspaper appealing to the world to support a truth and reconciliation commission similar to South Africa and Northern Ireland as opposed to setting up a criminal court. They argued that punitive action, such as a criminal court, would destabilize South Sudan.
Keppler says the Times article is an attempt by President Salve Kiir and Machar to avoid the reach of law.
“The article drafted by Riek Machar and Salve Kiir really represents a self-serving effort to escape accountability. These leaders themselves are implicated in horrific crimes committed in South Sudan. They themselves agreed, as part of the 2015 peace agreement to have justice advance, and they took to the pages of the New York Times to attempt to sidestep the justice issue, pushing instead for a proposal for a truth and reconciliation, she said.”
In their article, President Kiir and First Vice President Machar said South Sudan needs truth, not trials.
“Disciplinary justice – even if delivered under international law – would destabilize efforts to unite our nation by keeping alive anger and hatred among the people of South Sudan,” they said.
But Keppler said her organization has found over the years that impunity and lack of justice regularly fuels more abuses.
Keppler said times today are different from when the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission was set up in the 1990’s.
“The Yugoslav and Rwanda tribunals had not been fully operational. You didn’t have the International Criminal Court. What’s come to pass is that justice is now possible and that it is guaranteed not only under international law, but also in terms of principles for victims,” Keppler said.
She said the African Union, having committed itself to rejecting impunity, has a responsibility to create a hybrid war crimes court for South Sudan.
“To my eyes, this announcement by Machar is very significant and one does need to question how this piece [article] really came about because it is quite a kind of audacious, bracing proposal to say let’s forget the trials that we agreed to as part of the peace process; let’s just go with evading accountability,” Keppler said.
Keppler said granting amnesties have been part of the culture of South Sudan over the years. For example, she said, in South Sudan’s conflict with Khartoum there was no accountability for crimes committed. Instead, she said those who allegedly committed crimes in the most recent conflict have been rewarded with promotions in the government.
She said truth telling is important, especially for countries emerging from conflicts. But Keppler said truth is not an alternative for criminal justice. | http://newsfromafrica.org/human-rights-watch-urges-au-establish-hybrid-court-south-sudan/ | en | 2016-06-09T00:00:00 | newsfromafrica.org/94189aeaf823041625aa44b64ef44020ef6fc11af6f9b78bc505bbbf329d68a4.json |
[
"David Wamuha"
] | 2016-08-26T12:55:52 | null | 2016-06-12T21:11:28 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fnewsfromafrica.org%2Fal-shabab-says-executed-somalia%2F.json | http://newsfromafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/AL_SHABAB_EXPLAINER_09212013.jpg | en | null | Al-Shabab Says Executed More of Its Own in Somalia | null | null | newsfromafrica.org | Al-Shabab militants in Somalia say they have executed two of their members, both of them recruited from Kenya, for disloyalty and anti-Islamic activities.
The two Kenyans and a Somali man executed at the same time were killed in Somalia’s Middle Juba region on Friday, local residents said. The executions also were reported on an al-Shabab website.
In the Bay region, four other men were executed Friday, accused of spying for Somali, Kenyan and U.S. intelligence agencies, according to a statement issued on social media by the extremist group. It said one of the four was accused of facilitating the drone strike in September 2014 that killed al-Shabab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane, also known as Abu Zubayr.
The two Kenyan fighters who were executed in Jilib town were identified on al-Shabab’s website as Abdullah Abdulhamid Faraj and Jared Mokae Omambia.
Faraj, from Mombasa, Kenya, had been accused of “facilitating” killings of Muslim preachers in Kenya. Omambia, who was from the western Kenyan city of Eldoret, was accused of working with Kenya’s anti-terrorism police unit.
Victims of the mass execution Friday in the Bay region’s Bulo Fay village included 26-year-old Mohamed Aden Nur Hassan, who was beheaded. The al-Shabab website said he had been accused of providing key information that led to the death of al-Shabab commander Godane/Zubayr.
Al-Shabab said Muhiyadin Hirab Ahmed, 27, accused of betraying the leader of the Westgate Mall terror attack in Nairobi, and two others were killed by a firing squad immediately after they were pronounced guilty.
The extremists also released audio of an al-Shabab “judge” delivering his verdict against Hassan. The judge said Hassan has provided information that allowed U.S. forces to pinpoint the location of former militant chief Zubayr, contributing to his death. Hassan was accused of involvement in drone strikes that killed two other top al-Shabab commanders: Amniyat commander Abdishakur Tahlil in December 2014 and the militants’ external operations chief Yusuf Dheeg the following February.
Hassan was suspected of passing on mobile telephone numbers for two of Zubayr’s close associations that fixed their location in Barawe, the southern Somali port that was an al-Shabab stronghold at the time. Ten days after that information was passed to the CIA, al-Shabab officials have said, missiles launched by U.S. warplanes and drones killed Zubayr.
The raid that eliminated Godane/Zubayr was hailed as a major success at the time. One month later, Somali government troops and allied forces from the African Union regained control of Barawe, which al-Shabab had controlled since 2009.
Barawe has a proud commercial and cultural history dating back more than 500 years. But its politics have been turbulent for centuries, with multiple episodes of colonial occupation, including by European powers.
Muhiyadin Hirab Ahmed, executed at the same time as Hassan, was accused of working with Kenyan counterterrorism units following the Westgate Mall terrorist attack, which killed nearly 70 people. The information Ahmed allegedly provided led to the killing of Aadan Garaar, the suspected Westgate attack mastermind, in March 2015.
Also executed Friday in the Bay region was Hassan Diriye Osman, 42, whom al-Shabab accused of providing informants to Kenya intelligence in Gedo region. However, relatives of Osman said he was an innocent schoolteacher. They said he had been missing since 2014.
The fourth victim of the Bula Fulay execution squads was Hussein Nunow Nagay, 36, accused of giving the Somali intelligence agency information about Al-Shabab fighters’ movements. | http://newsfromafrica.org/al-shabab-says-executed-somalia/ | en | 2016-06-12T00:00:00 | newsfromafrica.org/989a15f53b4d0845b7ffa1328fdf05b31f7fec884de9131952679da188c15b81.json |
[
"David Wamuha"
] | 2016-08-26T12:49:55 | null | 2016-06-12T21:15:06 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fnewsfromafrica.org%2Fregional-african-troops-push-back-stung-boko-haram-niger%2F.json | http://newsfromafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/849996-9ac6f08e-95b6-11e5-a0a6-8c8f4dbed7e7.jpg | en | null | Regional African Troops Push Back After Being Stung By Boko Haram in Niger | null | null | newsfromafrica.org | Troops in northern Cameroon set out Friday for a fresh push against Boko Haram militants, a week after the terror group carried out its deadliest attack in Niger in more than a year.
The militants raided a military post in Bosso, Niger, killing at least 26 soldiers. Niger’s government said 55 insurgents were also killed. The U.N. refugee agency said about 50,000 residents had fled.
General Jacob Kodji, one of Cameroon’s top commanders in the north, said troops from Niger and Chad would attack Boko Haram strongholds in Niger, while his men would organize raids to stop the terrorists from getting reinforcements from or escaping to hideouts around the Lake Chad Basin and the Sambisa Forest in Nigeria.
Kodji said the area of operations would span more than 400 kilometers. The operations will be dangerous, he said, because the insurgents are increasingly using land mines and holding civilians hostage as human shields.
Colonel Didier Badjeck, Cameroon’s military spokesman, accused Boko Haram fighters of harassing the population along the country’s border with Nigeria, saying fighters had been stealing food and killing residents.
Badjeck said Boko Haram had been staging attacks daily for three weeks. After an attack on one of its positions, Cameroon’s military struck back against the Islamic militant group Friday, he said. | http://newsfromafrica.org/regional-african-troops-push-back-stung-boko-haram-niger/ | en | 2016-06-12T00:00:00 | newsfromafrica.org/8a434aa4dfaf0f91c11222d5447b4427928f80103226f249838ca2e1dd0753fe.json |
[
"Canadian Press"
] | 2016-08-31T00:51:52 | null | null | Two sides avert job action that has loomed for months | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fnews%2F391803281.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/18051BCLN2007Canada_Post_TruckWikimediaCommons.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Canada Post, postal union reach tentative deals | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers have reached tentative agreements, averting the prospect of a labour dispute that has loomed over the talks for months.
In a statement, Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk says the agreements were reached "voluntarily," but provides no other details about the deals themselves.
The issue of differences in paycheques for rural mail carriers — most of whom are women — and urban letter carriers had been at the forefront of protracted contract talks between the two sides.
The negotiations were extended twice since the weekend, when a deadline expired on a 72-hour job action notice issued last Thursday by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
The two sides were in talks nearly around the clock at the request of a special mediator appointed Friday by Mihychuk.
Canada Post described the tentative agreements as short-term. It said they are for two years and that four-year contracts were typically negotiated in the past.
"The agreements will avert a work disruption, bringing much-needed certainty in the postal system for our employees and customers," said Canada Post in a statement. "Canadians can now use the postal system with confidence."
The tentative agreements, however, still must be ratified by the members.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is Canada Post's largest union, representing more than 50,000 postal workers
The Canadian Press | http://www.saanichnews.com/news/391803281.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/820a4aac7c44ba725337b7a3c03ea4d2d73bf749ae65c8ecb20eefb4069e31f8.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:53:13 | null | null | Madyson Evers and her horse perform a steady trot during the English Equitation competition at the All-Breed Horse Show | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fsports%2F391663391.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/49567saanichhorseshow-3.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Taking the reins | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Madyson Evers and her horse perform a steady trot during the English Equitation competition at the All-Breed Horse Show Sunday at the Beaver Lake Ring. The show was hosted by the Vancouver Island Appaloosa Horse Club as part of a five-date series. | http://www.saanichnews.com/sports/391663391.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/6cde0208b6d6d7b88fac95209ee4a3f22fd3368f1d37c40f9899f5a30896ebf6.json |
[
"Travis Paterson"
] | 2016-08-26T13:10:34 | null | null | Saanich playground is legacy of former tenant Bonnie Clark | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fnews%2F391217861.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/13952saanichPacificaPlayground.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Pacifica Housing installs first of four playgrounds | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Executive director Dean Fortin of Pacifica Housing sits on the new playground at the Rudd Park housing complex on Irma Avenue. Volunteer work parties and Pacifica crews have led the installation of the playground, which will be designated in Bonnie Clark’s honour on Sept. 1.
The playground that began as a legacy project for Bonnie Clark following her unexpected death in September is now at Pacifica Housing Advisory Association’s Rudd Park property.
Clark was a Pacifica tenant for six years when she died at Rudd Park, and the playground is the first of four being installed on Pacifica properties this year. Friends of Clark donated time and money, along with Pacifica supporters, to make the playground a reality. It will be officially introduced with a ceremony at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1.
“All of the community and friends kicked in to make this happen, and maybe that’s the legacy that the children who play on this will know growing up,” said Dean Fortin, executive director for Pacifica.
Pacifica raised $10,000 towards Bonnie’s Legacy through an appeal to the community starting last year. The Jawl Foundation, of Saanich’s Jawl development family, donated materials, as did other organizations. The cedar chip base and six-by-six-inch lumber used to frame the playground arrived last week.
A work party of volunteers helped level and clear the base of the playground on Sunday, to prepare it for the coming playground.
Clark loved children, and the playground is a way to carry on the deep regard she felt for them.
“She held them sacred and cared deeply about their well-being and joy,” said Pacifica spokesperson Nikola Mende.
Following her celebration of life, Pacifica examined the complex and property where she lived to recognize a way to honour her legacy. Through discussion, it came about to replace the exhausted children’s playground in the complex where she lived and died.
Later this year, Pacifica will also install new playgrounds at their Field Crest (also near Rudd Park), Kew Court (James Bay) and Alder Brae properties.
As Clark was a proud woman of Cree and Métis descent, organizers will include a smudging ceremony at the playground’s Sept. 1 designation.
“We would like to install playgrounds at all 35 properties but we’ll start with four this year,” Fortin said.
To learn more about Bonnie’s Legacy or how to get involved, contact Fortin at dfortin@pacificahousing.ca.
Pacifica currently provides homes for over 1,500 people and operates the highly successful Greater Victoria Streets to Homes Program, which moves adults from chronic homelessness directly into long-term, private market housing with additional supports. | http://www.saanichnews.com/news/391217861.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/4da36b6950a5594d9a26f090de996e73ab163a919870463272f9024bcfa7c13f.json |
[
"Shannon Lough"
] | 2016-08-26T13:09:53 | null | null | Two months after having an endoscopy Joan Dudoward received a letter telling her that the endoscope used was not cleaned properly. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fnews%2F391353941.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/73852princerupertWEB.Joan-Dudoward.SL.35.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | VIDEO: Prince Rupert woman treated with unclean medical equipment, Northern Health, B.C. Centre for Disease Control confirms more than a hundred affected | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | A routine check-up at the hospital has turned into a nightmare for a Prince Rupert woman.
A month-and-a-half after having an endoscopy to inspect her nose and throat, Joan Dudoward received a letter from Northern Health stating that the endoscope used at the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital was not cleaned properly.
From April until the end of June 2016, the endoscope, which is a flexible tube with a light and a camera used in nonsurgical procedures, was being cleaned with the wrong cleaning solution to disinfect the equipment. There were 104 patients affected and Dudoward was one of them.
“I was majorly stressed out,” she said in an exclusive interview with the Northern View. “I'm a cancer survivor. I try to keep my health up for my mom, I'm a caregiver for a 95-year-old woman.”
Dudoward had gone to the Prince Rupert hospital for an endoscopy on June 29 at 3:30 p.m. after complaining to her physician about reoccurring plugged ears and a sore throat. She received the letter from Northern Health on Aug.24, which stated the error did not impact the diagnostic outcome of the tests and the process error has been corrected.
The letter also states that the BC Centre for Disease Control has been consulted and “the risk of a patient being exposed to a virus as a result of this process error is extremely low.” The contact number for the director of acute care services is offered in case she has any other questions or concerns. Dudoward has many.
She called to find out why the instrument wasn't cleaned, what had happened and how many people had gone through the procedure before and after her. “She said she's not permitted to tell me anything about this,” was the response Dudoward said she received.
The vice-president of medicine for the Northern Health authority, Dr. Ronald Chapman, was quick to respond to media inquiries and stressed the importance of transparency. He said, based on previous experience, once they realized the mistake had occurred they consulted the BC Centre for Disease Control as well as the Northern Health infectious disease specialist in Prince George.
“The risk for the patient is extremely low. We're not concerned that it will at all have any negative impact on their health,” Dr. Chapman said. He added that it's Northern Health's policy to make patients aware even if the risk to them is low. “We believe it's important to be open with those patients and to be fairly transparent so at least they are aware of the mistake. In this case, we don't recommend any particular follow up or tests for the patients.”
This type of process error has happened before, Dr. Chapman confirmed. Not with the same scope, but he said there are many different endoscopes used and each are made by different manufacturers that have various recommendations on how to clean the equipment.
“The health sector is run by human beings and it's fairly complex. If mistakes do happen what we encourage our staff to do is to make management aware so they can learn from that experience,” he said. “I'm happy to say where those mistakes have happened in our environment, a process has been put in place and we haven't had any repetitions after some of those learning experiences.”
For the 104 patients that were affected by this incident, Dr. Chapman said their general practitioners have been notified and if they have any questions they can speak to them and the infectious disease specialist. They can also contact Northern Health's Patient Care Quality Officeto register a complaint.
For Dudoward, who had a bone marrow transplant in 2011 to battle leukemia, she is concerned and has already scheduled a meeting with her physician in early September.
“I'm thinking that my body is not going to be able to fight off infection like I was able to before the cancer because chemo takes a lot out of your body so this is like a bomb exploding in my life,” she said. | http://www.saanichnews.com/news/391353941.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/c7ad4732229670b544ffdb3e68344a4de47ca61d47a8aa635093b1f98159b09a.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T18:50:17 | null | null | Moscow Ballet brings Swan Lake to Victoria – and benefits to Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fentertainment%2F391660741.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Famed ballet will benefit Saanich nature sanctuary | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | The famed Swan Lake ballet comes to Victoria this fall with a performance sure to thrill the audience – not to mention Saanich’s nature sanctuary.
The Moscow Ballet brings their production of Swan Lake to Victoria as part of an effort to raise funds for Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary’s Bridges to Nature Campaign.
“I have wanted to bring Swan Lake to Swan Lake since my very first day on the job,” said Kathleen Burton, executive director at the sanctuary. “When we entered discussions and the ballet company indicated they were planning a stop as part of their North American tour I think my squeal of excitement could be heard across the lake. We look forward to sharing more details about the various events as part of the partnership as well as ticket pricing shortly.”
The sanctuary’s renowned boardwalk has been weathered by the elements and is beyond repair. Phase One was completed in 2015 at a cost of $350,000. Phase Two will require another $800,000 in order to span the lake with 755 feet of floating boardwalk.
Moscow Ballet ballerina and audition director Olena Nalyvaiko will be at the sanctuary Oct. 8 for a campaign photo shoot taking place on the iconic floating boardwalk. The photo shoot will be followed by a pair of children’s programs, one geared to younger children and the second aimed at teens.
Burton said the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will provide children with a fun workshop of cultural immersion and personal role modeling with the world-class Russian dancer while at the same time raising awareness and much needed funds for the Bridges to Nature Campaign.
During the immersion sessions, children will work one-on-one with a Moscow Ballet ballerina in movement and creative expression workshops. Through these activities they can develop positive self-imaging, healthy lifestyle habits and a personal understanding of the contributions they themselves can make to their communities.
“Partnering with the world-renowned Moscow Ballet is an exciting opportunity for not only the sanctuary but for the whole community,” said Burton. “The two organizations share so many synergies, their costumes provide the perfect setting for the ballet’s shifting moods and timeless beauty just as the foliage and flowers do so for the sanctuary.”
The Moscow Ballet brings Swan Lake to Victoria’s Royal Theatre Nov. 12. Tchaikovsky’s first ballet, Swan Lake is an all-time favourite with ballet lovers, telling the story of Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette. While hunting, Prince Siegfried sees a magnificent swan, but as he takes aim the swan turns into a beautiful woman. Princess Odette is the victim of an evil sorcerer’s spell, spending her daylight hours as a swan, seeming in a lake of tears, becoming a woman again as night falls. The spell will be broken only if a virgin prince swears eternal love to her. Swan Lake is their story, told beautifully by the Moscow Ballet company. | http://www.saanichnews.com/entertainment/391660741.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/7c5960af130ae2f572760fc96c2d10e0acf51a0d8b25f177d73820a60d756788.json |
[
"Rick Stiebel"
] | 2016-08-26T13:02:10 | null | null | Giving back to the community a priority for Saanich-based company | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fbusiness%2F390239461.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/67333saanichCapitalTreeservice.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Capital Tree Service a growing concern | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Steve Taylor, owner of Capital Tree Service, believes that giving back to the community should be an important part of any local business.
When Steve Taylor went out on a limb to launch Capital Tree Service in 2004, he couldn’t foresee how dramatically the business would grow.
The Saanich resident started out at 27 years of age with four employees and two trucks, doing strictly maintenance work and hazardous tree removal for BC Hydro on the southern part of Vancouver Island and the Gulf islands.
“We’ve grown incrementally since then,” said Taylor, a proud fourth generation Victorian. “We have 13 trucks now and 20 to 30 employees at any given time.”
Taylor credits part of the company’s success to putting a priority on hiring local workers and providing high-paying jobs, as well as making a concerted effort to invest in their training.
“The vast majority of them are from Saanich,” Taylor noted. “Hiring quality people is a key to our success. A lot of the guys have been with us a long time and grown with the company.”
Capital Tree Service performs a variety of tasks, including residential and commercial work and jobs for BC Hydro and local municipalities.
“We provide public safety by removing hazards and keeping hydro lines clear,” he explained during an interview at a job site where a crew was removing two large, diseased trees.
Capital Tree Service helped clean up in the aftermath of a severe ice storm in 2014, with 20 employees working on it for more than a year.
“We took a few trucks with us and bought a few when we were there,” Taylor said.
Taylor recently took over Qualified Tree Service and purchased a 125-foot boom truck, the largest in Canada.
“That sets us apart, makes the job safer and opens the door for more work,” he noted.
Another key element of Taylor’s business philosophy is the importance he places on being a socially responsible company that gives back to the community in many ways.
Capital Tree Service supports Saanich Minor Hockey, the Saanich Volunteer Society, Victoria Shamrocks lacrosse, Victoria Grizzlies hockey and Lochside School, to name a few.
The company adopted a stretch of the Pat Bay Highway in Saanich, and has done pro bono work for the Land Conservancy as well.
“There’s many more initiatives we support,” he said. “We’re always approachable if it’s for a good cause.”
Taylor, a former junior hockey player, also coaches novice hockey, a volunteer activity he thoroughly enjoys.
“It’s tough to leave the rink without a smile on your face coaching kids that age,” he added.
Check out capitaltreeservice.ca for more information. | http://www.saanichnews.com/business/390239461.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/488f1ef8ea21ac777acd7509425cb62def50c00bf4395e954a06a662be888789.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T16:52:07 | null | null | If you had a column labelled “Good Neighbours” mine would get a gold star | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F391661921.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Neighbour warrants praise | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | If you had a column labelled “Good Neighbours” mine would get a gold star.
She always seems to be out by the street putting our garbage cans away. There is a niche in our fence where they belong, close to the street, but nevertheless, she puts them there. She always seems to beat us.
Carol Marica
Saanich | http://www.saanichnews.com/opinion/letters/391661921.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/cc4da1af55f2c72ae0e65ff19e7940a1d1d68be6dd861cd8e680ca33ad490a58.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:08:32 | null | null | Collector plates will be available next year for modified as well as stock cars made between 1958 and 1974 | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Flifestyles%2F389536851.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/25111BCLN2007Chevrolet_Camaro1969-wikim7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Collector program expanding to 'muscle cars' | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Modified versions of the 1969 Camaro SS and other popular vehicles will soon be eligible for B.C. collector plates, allowing occasional use for parades and car shows.
The B.C. government is expanding its collector vehicle licence system to include eligible modified cars made between 1958 and 1974, to capture the popular "muscle car" era of the 1960s.
The ICBC collector plate program gives car enthusiasts a lower-cost licence plate that allows occasional use for parades and classic car shows. ICBC plans to take applications starting in 2017 for eligible modified vehicles up to 1974, and replica cars resembling North American production cars from 1942 and earlier.
With strict rules that the cars must be in "collectible condition," changes will take in modified popular cars from the Dodge Duster to the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, as well as replicas of the popular Ford "deuce coupe" from the 1930s.
Premier Christy Clark announced a break for older cars this spring, allowing vehicles from 1940 or earlier and their replicas to run without fenders or mud flaps when the highway is dry and paved.
Transportation Minister Todd Stone said the collector car industry is significant for B.C., with registered collector vehicles having doubled to 26,000 in the past 10 years.
"We want to see this specialty vehicle program remain viable, preserve vehicle history and evolve with the times," Stone said. "That's why we are opening up the opportunity to owners of specialty cars within the 'muscle car' era."
Currently, the standard collector plate is available to cars 25 years or older, as well as discontinued or limited production vehicles 15 years or older. It requires a stock engine with no performance enhancements, no rust, dents or "significant wear and tear" of the interior.
Modified vehicles from 1958 or older are currently eligible for collector plates, if they retain the shell of the original body but have parts replaced or modified in the chassis, engine, suspension, steering or brakes.
Owners have to apply for a collector or modified collector plate, with purchase and parts bills, photos and inspection reports.
Applications for collector and modified collector programs are available on ICBC's website, www.icbc.com, and can be dropped off at Autoplan brokers. | http://www.saanichnews.com/lifestyles/389536851.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/0d7ff46fc8b5af28e584969ea11688be28e106008fde983be626c64bc33c1be8.json |
[
"Travis Paterson"
] | 2016-08-26T13:14:37 | null | null | Saanich Fusion Div. 1 squad expecting to lose a few core players | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fsports%2F390960831.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/3442saanichFusionCoaches.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | New coach will guide top Fusion men’s team | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Matt Carr, left, and Ian Bush are the new coaches of the Saanich Fusion Div. 1 men’s side.
The Saanich Fusion’s top men’s soccer team is entering a new era as it turns to new head coach Ian Bush and associate coach Matt Carr.
Bush and Carr come into the program after Steph Steiner led the team for 10 years, including the past five straight seasons contending for the Vancouver Island Soccer League’s top honours at the Division 1 level. Under Steiner, the Fusion won the league title three straight years from 2012 to 2014 and finished third the past two seasons. The Fusion also made three straight trips to the Jackson Cup Island championship final, winning it in 2014.
But after 10 years, Steiner, now 40, is looking to step away to focus on his full-time role as the Saanich Fusion technical director as well as owner-operator of the World Cup Soccer academy with Brett Hyslop.
“The team is in good hands with Bush,” Steiner said. “Bush is very passionate about our club, a great guy, super good coach, and he’s totally into it.”
Bush, 35, comes to the team from a grassroots approach that is unlike Steiner’s.
Steiner will always carry legendary status in the South Island soccer scene. He was the only player to score a goal in the 1996 national university final, propelling the Vikes to the Canadian championship. Thirteen years ago, Steiner helped rebuild the Gordon Head Div. 1 men’s side (before it merged with Cordova Bay to create Saanich Fusion), and has helped it qualify for the senior men’s provincials for the past 10 years.
But Bush knows that, and is building his reputation as a coach one season at a time. With seven trophies in three years, he’s off to a solid start.
“There’s a lot of little things you can do to get better,” Bush said. “I film every game and re-watch them, then email players the hot links. It’s part of the little things you can do to gain two, three or five per cent, because soccer is such a low scoring game, that per cent is enough to get you a lot of points at the end of the season.”
Last year, Bush and Carr coached the Fusion U21 men’s team to the George Smith Challenge Cup Island championship, and led the Fusion’s Harris Dodge Div. 3A men’s team to a division title, earning them promotion into Div. 2. While the Fusion Harris Dodge team fell in the George Pearkes Div. 3 Challenge Cup final, it’s the promotion to Div. 2 that will benefit the Fusion program.
“It’s something I’m proud of,” Bush said. “It’s important to have that ladder [in the VISL]. It means you don’t have to cut players, you can refer them to the appropriate team for development and availability.”
Bush is on the board of the Saanich Fusion and started with the club as a coach a few years ago. He has his Provincial B coaching certificate, standard for this level of coaching, and is proud to come through the ranks.
As a teacher, he was at Reynolds secondary the last two years where he also coached the junior girls team and, with J.J. Atterbury, helped the Reynolds senior boys finish fifth at the 2015 provincials.
“I feel like coming up through the ranks helps me earn my credit,” Bush said. “It takes a lot of trial and error to make mistakes and learn.”
This year, like any, the Fusion are expecting to lose a few core players. The team has remained strong the past two seasons but hasn’t been the same as 2014 when VISL stars Patrick Nelson and Cooper Barry made it a league powerhouse. Those two have since helped Cowichan FC to a Jackson Cup and are on the cusp of a dynasty.
While it’s not reasonable to expect the Fusion to challenge Cowichan for the title in 2016-17, Bush does put pressure on himself for a successful season.
“I’m told we’ll lose a few guys, and that’s typical with any coaching change, but we will return Chris ‘Tower’ Peereboom on defence, a Jackson Cup MVP, and [former VISL rookie of the year] Leo Falzon, so we already have pieces of a strong team.”
To fill in the gaps, Bush will turn to some of the U21 players that he and Carr coached. There’s also players moving to town that have already emailed him, as well as Reynolds grads looking for a spot in the VISL’s top division. Continuity within the club happens to be a focus of Bush’s in his role as a board member with the Fusion.
“As a club, there is a struggle not to lose players after U18,” Bush said. “Parents invest so much in their children and then after U18, they quit. In might be even more severe on the girls’ side.”
Bush is one person at the club who’s trying to bridge that gap between the younger players and the U21 and adult levels.
“Bush is a good choice for our club with all he’s done,” Steiner said. “He’s done a great job with Div. 2 and U21, a logical choice to continue on with the program. He keeps good relationship with the younger players there.”
In the meantime, tryouts for the Saanich Fusion’s Div. 1 men started Aug. 17.
“If you tell me this team is a cohesive group working to get better at the end of the season, that’s fine, thats what I want,” Bush said. “But at the same time, do I want to come sixth? No.” | http://www.saanichnews.com/sports/390960831.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/5536bc23b77b3c033d773a19ba421c14bf4dc3ccd448d015179d74c47262447a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:12:26 | null | null | Dogs have a limited ability to sweat; even a short time in a hot environment can be life-threatening | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fopinion%2F390501871.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Parked vehicles no place for pets | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | It’s shaping up to be another spectacular weekend here on southern Vancouver Island. With temperatures expected to approach 30 C, Saanich residents will be flocking to the beach or their favourite picnic hideaway.
But the warm, summer weather doesn’t come without risks for some members of the family. There continue to be reports of dogs being left in parked vehicles. All of us have experienced returning to our vehicles and being met with a blast of hot air when we open the door.
It’s no place to leave our furry friends, even for a moment. Temperatures inside vehicles can quickly rise to life-threatening levels for dogs. Even parked in the shade with the windows partially open, a vehicle can become extremely uncomfortable after only a few minutes.
Our dog-obsessed culture has transformed our pets into a part of the family. But we have a duty to our family members to not place them in jeopardy, even if they seem happy to take their chances.
Dogs cool themselves by panting and by releasing heat through their paws. On warm days the air and upholstery in your vehicle heats up to high temperatures, making it impossible for pets to cool themselves. Dogs have a limited ability to sweat; even a short time in a hot environment can be life-threatening. A dog’s normal body temperature is about 39 C, a temperature of 41 C can be withstood only for a very short time before irreparable brain damage or even death can occur.
While it may pull at your heartstrings to look into Rover’s sad eyes as he watches you head out the door to run a few errands, we have to think of what’s in the best interests of our faithful companions. There’s no need for your dog to accompany you on a trip to the grocery store or to do some banking. They will be much more comfortable at home awaiting your return. And the pure joy that greets your return will make any separation anxiety melt away. | http://www.saanichnews.com/opinion/390501871.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/ee611f36ab76e120d0724c0742838ec629026ea123538d665018ed5ae38b1b80.json |
[
"Travis Paterson"
] | 2016-08-26T13:14:28 | null | null | Saanich swimming star ‘gutted’ with personal Rio result, applauds Canadian women's results | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fsports%2F390453011.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/57781saanichCochraneReflection1.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Cochrane blunt about personal disappointment, lauds Canadian women | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Three-time Olympian Ryan Cochrane was blunt about his performance at the Rio Games.
For Ryan Cochrane, the past four years has somehow turned into nine seconds he can’t get back.
Somehow, winning a third straight Olympic medal in Rio de Janeiro wasn’t meant to be.
When the 27-year-old Saanich swimmer slipped to sixth overall in his speciality, the 1,500-metre freestyle, there was a collective pause, followed by a collection of thoughts by sympathetic fans and, Cochrane alike. After such an illustrious career, it was a moment of disbelief for followers of the Claremont secondary grad.
On Monday, Cochrane declared defeat in a candid and thankful Facebook post.
“Selfishly, I'm absolutely gutted by my results; I feel as if I've let our entire country down by not performing the one time it matters,” he wrote. “I take my role as a leader on the Canadian team seriously, and because of that I know I should have done better.”
In a shout out to Canada’s women swimmers, who won six medals in Rio, Cochrane passed the torch, as he likely steps away from competition as Canada’s most decorated swimmer. Cochrane is a four-time gold medal winner at the Commonwealth Games, twice in each of the 400m and 1,500m. In the 1,500m freestyle there are few who can outpace his six-foot-four frame on the planet. He won bronze at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and then moved up to silver at the 2012 Games in London. He’d also won bronze and silver at the FINA Worlds, including bronze in 2015.
But in the first Olympics without his coach and mentor Randy Bennett, who died in 2015, the expectations Cochrane put on himself were clearly for nothing less than a podium finish.
“I’ll always regret that I couldn't contribute to our team's success here in Rio, but either way it's been a privilege to be able to witness our women's team's accomplishments,” he said. “I've never been so proud to call myself Canadian.”
The response from his fans and the swim community was overwhelmingly positive, suggesting what most already know, that his effect as a positive role model is immeasurable. And it’s no wonder. This is the same athlete who restored Canada’s swimming hopes with an Olympic bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games, where he briefly held the 1,500m Olympic record of 14:40.84. That was Canada’s first swimming medal since the 1996 Games, and once again this year, there was enough evidence to believe he could medal for a third straight Olympic Games.
Exactly one year ago, Cochrane finished third in the 1,500m at the World Championships in Kazan (with a time of 14:51.08). However, despite calmly but confidently declaring a strong year of training, Cochrane was unable to touch the wall in less than 14 minutes and 40 seconds, as he did four years ago to earn silver in London with time of 14:39.63. Instead, he slipped to 14:49.61. Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri won gold in 14:34.57, followed by United States' Connor Jaeger with silver in 14:39.48 and Italy's Gabriele Detti with bronze in a time of 14:40.86.
Following his 1,500m race, Cochrane told Oylmpic.ca the race was particularly hard.
“The first half was exactly what we have planned for, but I didn't have that lift, I didn't have anything left at the end,” Cochrane said. “In a way that's a slight positive knowing I didn't wait till it was too late but at the same time, what do you do when it's four years of training and it doesn't pay off.
“All year I thought the motivator was: ‘This is your last chance.' Today that made me very nervous. Instead I tried to trust all of the people involved in getting us there. I had the right mindset, it just didn't pay off.”
Overall, Swimming Canada finishes the 2016 Games as a major success with 15 finals and six medals, tripling its 2012 output of two medals. The women led the way, with Cochrane’s Saanich teammate Hilary Caldwell winning bronze in the 200m backstroke, and 16-year-old Penny Oleksiak of Toronto introducing herself to the world with four medals (gold, silver and two bronze).
reporter@saanichnews.com | http://www.saanichnews.com/sports/390453011.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/568a9960e0cb07335c13b92665070adb47461caa2b71604dbe8fd2f87845bd0b.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:12:57 | null | null | BC Liberals inherited a treasury brimming with cash | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F391218331.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | NDP not given credit for their fiscal track record | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | In less than a year we will be going to the polls for the provincial election. Before the political barbs begin to fly in earnest could we please level the playing field.
I can’t count the number of times while watching question period at the Leg the same tired line was spouted by Premier Christie Clark and members of her party. “In 2001 the outgoing NDP party left the financials in a mess.” That lie has proven the axiom, “Repeat a lie often enough and it will become fact.”
Reality? A healthy surplus was left for former premier Gordon Campbell and company to make theirs. Why the lie? Because the Liberals kept pounding the beat on how inept the NDP was – and when the Liberals took power and Campbell found out the truth, the only thing he could think of doing that was appropriate was to mislead the B.C. voters.
The facts were plain to read in the transition binders that outgoing NDP Premier Ujjal Dosanjh gave Campbell right after the election, a surplus topping $1.5 billion. That is what the figures in the binder recorded for the fiscal year 2000-01, the last full fiscal year of NDP government.
Two days after the transition ceremony when the binders were handed over, Gordon Campbell met a scrum of press gallery reporters at Victoria’s Empress Hotel. There, where the 77-member B.C. Liberal caucus was holding its first post-election meeting, Campbell gave his answer. “Some of the problems that we face are as we thought and some are worse than we thought,” he said. “The finances of the province are worse than we anticipated.” He added, “The magnitude of the losses we may face compared to budget is still up in the air.”
Far from inheriting a fiscal disaster from the NDP, Campbell and his party were given a provincial treasury brimming with cash. But the voting public was led to think very much otherwise.
Is it too late to finally put these lies to rest? Yes, it has been an excellent ploy for our premier, but shouldn’t she be practising last election’s pledge to bring back transparency to government?
David Waterhouse
Saanich | http://www.saanichnews.com/opinion/letters/391218331.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/122ab6b591da15b3e001e5cf2c8396ce3cf3c7052fb662bf0746b4877957ff2c.json |
[
"Travis Paterson"
] | 2016-08-26T13:14:04 | null | null | Whitecaps star to join youth camp at Pacific Institute for Sports Excellence | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fsports%2F390500161.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/73765saanichWhitecaps.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Whitecaps bring star power to Saanich | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Vancouver Whitecaps star Kekuta Manneh will be at the Pacific Institute for Sports Excellence for the final day of the Whitecaps FC three-day Youth Prospects Day, Aug. 22 to 24.
The Vancouver Whitecaps FC are always on the lookout for the next Canadian soccer star and their new program is bringing them to Saanich.
From Monday to Wednesday, the Whitecaps Lower Island soccer academy will host a Youth Prospects camp at the Pacific Institute for Sports Excellence for players aged seven to 15. It’s run by Kevin Lindo, head coach of the West Shore-based Whitecaps Lower Island Academy, which enters its second year in September and also uses the turf fields of Layritz Park.
“What the three-day camp does is it gives other families and kids an insight into what we do, how we coach, and the environment we offer,” said Lindo, who also runs the Nanaimo-based Upper Island Academy.
Lindo also said not to overlook the opportunity to develop, as youth players can accomplish a lot in three days.
And there’s also going to be a guest coach and speaker on Wednesday, 22-year-old Kekuta Manneh, who is one of the most exciting players in the MLS.
“He’s pleasing on the eye for football fans, exceptionally fast, scores great goals, technically strong, and a game changer,” Lindo said.
Manneh is also an extremely humble guy who has a lot of time for kids, is not in a rush, and has come through a similar system starting in Gambia, Lindo added.
“He’s just like every other kid, with his dreams and aspirations of playing at the highest level, and he had to work hard to get there.”
Manneh will speak and offer a question and answer session with kids, providing advice for getting to the next level.
The camp is a chance for youth players to be identified for the Whitecaps Academy.
The camp is open to boys and girls aged U8 to U11 (9 to 11:30 a.m.) and U12 to U16 (noon to 2:30 p.m.). For more information visit whitecapsfc.com/camps or call 1-885-932-1932. | http://www.saanichnews.com/sports/390500161.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/1a780ed2b073d84357f8980d55394801d382f1e76778c3da5e735bc511f00518.json |
[
"Jacob Zinn"
] | 2016-08-29T22:50:57 | null | null | Good food, lively entertainment and more take over the Greek Community Hall | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fcommunity%2F391656791.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/47369saanichgreekfest725.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Photos from Greek Fest 2016 | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | null | http://www.saanichnews.com/community/391656791.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/b17940344cd282554e30b6199662d59ed93670280bf0004636bcfb75e486c806.json |
[
"Canadian Press"
] | 2016-08-26T13:11:03 | null | null | Notice means delivery could be cancelled as early as Monday | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fnews%2F391302051.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/68221BCLN200782072cranbrookdailyCPweb.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Postal union issues strike notice after it says Canada Post refused special mediator | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | The union representing most workers at Canada Post has issued a 72-hour notice of job action as it tries to bargain a collective agreement with the Crown corporation.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says the notice spells out what actions it is planning, but stops short of a full-blown walkout.
CUPW national president Mike Palecek says Canada Post forced the labour disruption by refusing to accept a request from the federal labour minister to continue negotiations with the help of a special mediator.
But a spokesman for the agency says that's not the case.
The union's strike mandate was set to expire at midnight.
The two sides have been in negotiations for more than nine months but are far apart on key issues including pay equity for rural carriers and proposed changes to the Canada Post pension plan.
The Canadian Press | http://www.saanichnews.com/news/391302051.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/e911a5a2dc9d103bef07cb226030869494c7e88212103a9c80e03a7a1ff753d2.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:10:15 | null | null | Five Vancouver Island teams among the 11 who took part in lifeguard championships. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fnews%2F391218421.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/14181saanichlifeguardchampionship.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Lifeguard championship puts training to the test | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | In green, Nick Svab (left) and Sean Chambers of Team Gong Show from Surrey perform first aid on Matt Treble during the re-creation of a cycling accident at the 2016 Barnsley B.C./Yukon Lifeguard Championship.
It’s not every day that lifeguards get to use their training, but at least once a year, they get to sharpen their skills through the annual lifeguard championships.
Eleven teams of lifeguards from across the province – with five teams from Vancouver Island – dove headfirst into the competition last weekend at Saanich Commonwealth Place during the 2016 Barnsley B.C./Yukon Lifeguard Championship. The two-day event featured a ‘manikin’ relay, pool simulations and a variety of first aid scenarios to challenge their knowledge and judgment in times of crisis.
“I think a lot of members of the public don’t always know the level of training that lifeguards have,” said Dale Miller, executive director of the Lifesaving Society’s B.C. and Yukon branch. “This competition certainly shows that level of training and displays the skills that they have. We feel this is an amazing opportunity for them to raise their skills to another level.”
Four of the five Island teams were from Greater Victoria, including Extreme Caution, The Heart Stoppers, Fantastic Rookies 2.0 and Mouth to Mouth, with Qualicum’s Ravensong Aquatic Centre team rounding out the local entries.
The championship re-created real-world first aid scenarios, such as CPR on someone who’s choking and assessing a cycling crash. Miller said the training that lifeguards receive can be translated to many situations outside of swimming.
“I’ve had two recent situations where lifeguards have performed first aid out of the pool setting, outside of their jobs,” he recalled. “One incident was three young fellows from Kitimat on their way back from the Pemberton Music Festival. They came across a car accident, and with their skills, they reacted well, were calm under pressure, and they knew what to do.
“The other one was in Salt Spring just outside the aquatic centre – a man fell down from a heart attack. The lifeguards were out there quickly with a defibrillator and used their first aid and rescue skills and saved his life.”
Of the Greater Victoria teams, Extreme Caution placed second overall, placing first in the priority assessment, first aid and individual first aid competitions, but falling behind in the pool simulations, ‘manikin’ relay and Barnsley relay.
The Heart Stoppers managed to excel where Extreme Caution didn’t, placing first in the relays but slipping in the other contests, resulting in their third place finish.
Fantastic Rookies 2.0 placed seventh overall, but left Saanich Commonwealth Place with the title of Rookie Team of the Year.
The top team of the competition was Abbotsford’s Eh Team, acing the pool simulation and consistently placing second or third throughout the remaining competitions.
Miller said this year’s event was very successful, and he hopes that more lifeguards from B.C. will turn out for next year’s competition.
“It’s nice to be able to take them out of the pool setting and test their first aid skills in different scenarios,” he said. “These are skills that they carry for a lifetime.” | http://www.saanichnews.com/news/391218421.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/7d69ebf756374cdc42f6c5219668f0fcad646408b838c33e241f40fd7606a66a.json |
[
"John Arendt"
] | 2016-08-26T13:09:20 | null | null | B.C. Day, on Monday, Aug. 1, is an opportunity to celebrate this spectacular province. See how well you know British Columbia. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Flifestyles%2F388492001.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/60468summerlandimage.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | B.C. DAY TRIVIA QUIZ: How much do you know about British Columbia? | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | B.C. Day, on Monday, Aug. 1, is an opportunity to celebrate this spectacular province. See how well you know British Columbia. | http://www.saanichnews.com/lifestyles/388492001.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/42edd105475467d1d93ba6e8efec41311c2f08d8bec3007f81761cdf162e3c80.json |
[
"Canadian Press"
] | 2016-08-26T16:50:14 | null | null | Officials don't say how they captured the snake, which will be turned over to animal control. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fnews%2F391408121.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/5603BCLN2007SnakeCityofVictoriaTwitter.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Elusive snake finally coaxed out of drain pipe under Victoria street | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | This photo was posted to the City of Victoria's Twitter feed Thursday night around 8:30 p.m.
A reclusive reptile that has been living in a storm drain below the streets of Victoria now has a new home.
A tweet posted Thursday night by the City of Victoria shows a city worker holding the snake.
Officials haven't said how it was coaxed out of the drain, but the tweet said it would be turned over to animal control officers.
When it was spotted in the drain during routine maintenance last week, experts said it appeared to be a nearly two-metre long harmless corn snake, but a closer look at the photo released Thursday night shows it may be a boa constrictor.
It originally rebuffed all efforts at capture, including a heated tube and offerings of dead mice, because it was shedding its skin.
Officials didn't want to harm it or tear up the street, so the pipe was sealed until the moulting was complete and the snake was more co-operative.
(CFAX)
The Canadian Press | http://www.saanichnews.com/news/391408121.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/8d9c858ee291e98e8f7721688002ce0f378327b4375ea94be9fcefd508a67398.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:13:59 | null | null | Traffic increased on Cedar Hill Road since narrowing of Shelbourne Street | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2F390963311.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Traffic shifted elsewhere | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | I don’t know where Ray Travers lives, but he is out of touch with what is happening due to his “road diet” on Shelbourne Street. The insidious narrowing of it to two lanes, a few blocks at a time, has indeed affected other streets.
It is now only two lanes north of Torquay Drive. Over the past few months that this has happened, the traffic outside my front door on Cedar Hill Road has increased significantly. I’m sure the streets on the east side of Shelbourne are affected too.
I agree 100 per cent with Allan Rempel’s letter about Shelbourne Street. It needs to be left at four lanes
Bea Sinclair
Saanich | http://www.saanichnews.com/opinion/letters/390963311.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/723339b43fa81e9be2f3153622473ee7c126b20ba96b5326c2085996610fd00d.json |
[
"Canadian Press"
] | 2016-08-28T22:51:15 | null | null | Talks continue, with rotating overtime ban set to begin Monday if no agreement by midnight Sunday | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fnews%2F391545211.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/68221BCLN200782072cranbrookdailyCPweb.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Postal workers union give details of job action if no deal is reached Sunday | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | OTTAWA – Contract talks continue between Canada Post and its largest union, but neither side is hinting as to whether any progress has been made.
A federally appointed mediator has been meeting with the two sides since Friday to try to reach a deal.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says if there is no deal by midnight, it would begin job action on Monday by having its members refusing to work overtime on a rotating basis, starting in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
CUPW served 72 hour strike notice Thursday night, accusing Canada Post of forcing a labour disruption by refusing to bargain in good faith.
The two sides have been deadlocked for months on the issues of pay scales for rural letter carriers and proposed changes to pensions for future employees.
A CUPW news release says the initial job action will cause little disruption to Canada Post customers and that its members will still be delivering mail every day.
The Canadian Press | http://www.saanichnews.com/news/391545211.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/fc795c632d242c3e3f840b4423b7cc35e4b3d782f4bef0bc878701d1e0e243a1.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:10:24 | null | null | 28-year-old suspect threatened university security officers with a knife | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fnews%2F391218781.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Break-in at UVic ends with arrest | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | A Saturday afternoon break-in at the University of Victoria was quickly brought to a halt through the efforts of the campus security and Saanich Police.
Around 1 p.m., security officers at the university responded to an intrusion alarm at the UVic childcare facility, which wasn’t in use at the time. The officers found a 28-year-old man in the midst of a break and enter and called police before confronting the suspect.
“During that confrontation, the security officers were threatened by the suspect,” said acting Sgt. Jereme Leslie of the Saanich Police, noting the suspect had a knife on him, but didn’t use it. “Then the suspect fled while we were on route. We found him hiding in some bushes just outside the building.”
Leslie said the suspect is known to police and is of no fixed address, but lives in the Greater Victoria area.
Using forensic evidence, Saanich Police have now linked the suspect to two other break and enters from May 16 and Aug. 17, both in the 2400 block of Arbutus Road.
Police are recommending charges of three counts of break and enter, one count of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and one count of uttering threats. More charges may be recommended following further review of evidence seized during the arrest. | http://www.saanichnews.com/news/391218781.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/f09a79561b260525912d09041e3048537cdb975866be97c6af7d669e0eef69a1.json |
[
"Ivan Watson"
] | 2016-08-26T20:50:19 | null | null | Back to school: There are a number of ways to help make the transition as seamless as possible | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fnews%2F391216831.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/13610saanichcamosun.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Preparing for your first year at Camosun | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Camosun College offers a variety of services for students to help them succeed in and out of the classroom.
Make way summer, the back to school season is now in full swing. This time of year is busy for students who are heading off to college or university for the first time. But there are a number of ways to help make the transition as seamless as possible.
“We offer everything from when a prospective student is interested in college, right through until they graduate and become alumni,” explains Camosun College’s associate director of student services Lori Zehr. “We have various tips, resources and people that they can access – everything from setting up their time table, getting ready to learn, figuring out how to get here, how to manage their day, contacting their instructors and more.”
Zehr believes that the key to first-year student success is preparation and that includes some old-fashioned tips such as taking the time to familiarise yourself with the layout of the campus. “From the parent’s perspective, if they have time, come out with their student before classes start and walk around the campus when it’s a bit quieter. Get a feel for where classes are, what buildings are what, where’s the bookstore, where’s a good place to eat and where to find the best coffee.”
During the first month on campus, students are welcomed with orientation and social activities. Camosun’s popular CamFest takes place during the first week of classes at both campuses. It gives students the opportunity to mingle with instructors and staff and to learn about services and supports as well as student clubs. A festival atmosphere with a barbecue, food trucks and live entertainment helps to provide a warm welcome to college life.
A college campus can be an exciting place to study with opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. A key component of a student’s success is maintaining good overall health. “We’ve got the fitness centres on site, and we’ve got lots of walking trails and routes at both campuses,” said Zehr. ”It’s important that students maintain their physical and mental health, and we have the intramurals and recreation to support those kinds of endeavours too.”
In our digital age, an overlooked resource is the campus library, which can serve as a social hub, research centre, study group meeting location or a place to relax for a few moments between classes. When things get a little stressful, usually when mid-terms hit suggests Zehr, Camosun’s Academic Advising and Counselling Services are on hand to help out. They can advise on course selection and offer support to manage challenges and difficulties along the way. “Students can also go to our help centres, writing centre or the Disability Resource Centre in addition to accessing tutors, instructional assistants and faculty members to find out how to get some extra help to study for some of those tough subject matters.”
An important consideration for students is choosing a career path. “If students are searching for a career, they’re not sure where they want to go or what they need to do to get there, our college offers early career prep work,” said Zehr. “They’ll look at things like learning inventories, skills inventories, interest inventories and trying to match that all up on a career that might fit with an individual.”
Post-secondary education can be expensive and ensuring that finances don’t get in the way of student success is a key mandate of the Financial Aid and Awards office. “We really encourage students to go to talk to them as they can give them options based on that individual student’s situation,” said Zehr. “There are student loans, bursaries or other grants or emergency funding that they could be eligible for. We don’t want finances to be a barrier for students.”
Zehr believes that Camosun’s special atmosphere makes it an ideal first step into the world of post-secondary education. “I think Camosun’s a great start for young adults going off to school, with smaller class sizes and more personalized, individualized interactions,” said Zehr. “It definitely offers a warm, welcoming family-oriented approach to post-secondary education and an overall positive student experience.”
For more information, visit: camosun.ca/services.
Ivan Watson is a marketing and communications strategist at Camosun College’s Interurban Campus. Email: watsoni@camosun.ca. | http://www.saanichnews.com/news/391216831.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/c0d158440e65737d0988198e94b6efe8bb4574e65408cd746f503e55980f4c01.json |
[
"Jacob Zinn"
] | 2016-08-26T12:59:14 | null | null | The weekend event filled the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific with bright artwork and soothing music | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fentertainment%2F389530891.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/23094saanichhcp-artmusic-725.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Photos from Art and Music in the Gardens | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | null | http://www.saanichnews.com/entertainment/389530891.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/52400ce443506bdf7a468686ae9b6cb730fda5e285beeed03f547b1572f539c7.json |
[
"Jacob Zinn"
] | 2016-08-29T20:51:28 | null | null | Team effort by Saanich, Central Saanich and Department of National Defence to knock down flames | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fnews%2F391646121.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Saanich firefighters assist in blaze near Durrance Lake | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | A forest fire near the border of Saanich and Central Saanich saw three separate fire crews work together to knock down the Saturday morning blaze.
Around 7 a.m., the Saanich Fire Department responded to a fire near Durrance Lake, heading up Willis Point Road while watching smoke in the distance.
“The call came in from an overhead commercial aircraft,” said Deputy Fire Chief Steve Hanna. “I think it was a WestJet flight that was flying overhead, saw smoke and called it in.
“It was right on the edge of Heals Range, which is a Department of National Defence property.”
Hanna said firefighters had difficulty getting access to the fire for their trucks, so they called the DND, who sent military police to help them get closer to the flames.
“Durrance Road is a rural road and it’s hard to get through, and there’s a gate across it for safety reasons when people are shooting on the range,” said Hanna. “We didn’t have access to that gate, but with the permission of the DND, break through the gate and get access close to the fire.”
Adding to the challenging blaze was the fact that there are no fire hydrants in the area. Hanna said firefighters set up a tanker shuttle operation to get water to the fire, which was about 200 by 200 feet at its largest.
“We had our tanker, we called in Central Saanich for assistance with their tanker, DND sent their tanker out, so we had three tanker trucks shuttling water back and forth,” he said, noting B.C. forest firefighters also assisted.
Saanich fire stayed on scene until about 11:30 a.m., after which the DND’s fire crew remained at the site into the evening. While the cause of the fire hasn’t been determined, Hanna said the area may have been used as a campsite prior to the blaze.
“It was very deep seated fire and my suspicion is it was not intentionally set, but there might’ve been some people camping there,” he said. “We were lucky because while it was a warm day, it wasn’t a windy day, so it spread slowly.”
Fire crews are reminding residents to be mindful when in forested areas, especially in the summer when it’s dry.
“If you’re going to smoke, be very careful of how you dispose of your butts,” said Hanna. “People have to be aware, and if they see anything that looks like a fire, be sure to phone it in.”
Hanna also commended the teamwork of the Central Saanich and DND firefighters in getting the fire under control.
“Working together with three different agencies on one fire, we worked seamlessly,” he said. “If it wasn’t for each of us, we probably wouldn’t have had a successful outcome. It was a good joining of resources.”
jacob.zinn@saanichnews.com | http://www.saanichnews.com/news/391646121.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/f2580ee0ff8400eb9f0e5959b0053a11c01f148d6cfcc9341926fd3093fe5f69.json |
[
"Tom Fletcher"
] | 2016-08-26T13:09:30 | null | null | Few BC Parks bookings going to commercial operators, solution is more campsite spaces, Environment Minister Mary Polak says | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Flifestyles%2F385640471.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/18489BCLN2007CampingBarriereLakeJasonKoppwiki7web.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Provincial campsite rush mostly B.C. residents | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Solitude in the wilderness is still available in B.C., between holiday weekends when demand peaks at B.C.'s most popular parks.
Foreign visitors and those on package tours are a small fraction of the demand for B.C. Parks campgrounds around the province, but B.C. resident campers are still using a few tricks to get spaces for high-demand parks.
Some have protested the use of online reservations by motorhome tour operators who sell them as part of a package for tourists.
"Our provincial campsites are not products to be sold, they belong to the people of B.C.," Green Party leader Andrew Weaver said this week.
Environment Minister Mary Polak told Black Press numbers are being tracked for the current year, and the proportions haven't changed much. In 2015, fewer than one per cent of reservable B.C. Parks spaces were booked by tour operators, who also use private camping facilities.
Three quarters of reservations are from within B.C. The second highest share is from Alberta at 14 per cent, the U.S. accounts for 3.6 per cent, the rest of Canada 2.8 per cent, and all European countries combined are 6.6 per cent of the total.
The BC Parks system has 10,700 camping spaces in total, and 5,600 are reservable, to manage demand for the most popular spots.
First-come, first-served sites are kept out of the reservation system in some popular locations to accommodate travellers who drop in along the road. For high-demand periods like the recent Canada Day weekend, savvy campers work the reservation system.
At Golden Ears Provincial Park, one group booked for two weeks as soon as the 90-day eligibility window opened, then dropped the first week, giving them the coveted Canada Day weekend dates before they were generally available.
"Every year we look to change things to keep people from cheating, and every year they find new ways," Polak said. "Really the only answer is going to be finding a way to expand the number of sites that we have available."
It's shaping up as a record year for the Discover Camping reservation service, with 92,000 bookings so far this year.
B.C. Parks has added four new sites for this summer. Reservations can be made for Garibaldi Provincial Park in the Whistler area, Ruckle Provincial Park on Saltspring Island, Okanagan Falls Provincial Park, Inland Lake Provincial Park near Powell River and Dry Gulch Provincial Park near Radium Hot Springs. | http://www.saanichnews.com/lifestyles/385640471.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/36f875d5852a22d35a53e1ae6189cbf3fdd6afc97b35000a8f92a5567d39426d.json |
[
"Lana Popham"
] | 2016-08-26T13:11:37 | null | null | Elk and Beaver lakes could eventually become a slimy, weed-infested swamp unfit for human contact | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fopinion%2F390237351.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/66729saanichLanaatElkLakeAug112016.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | MLA Report: Action needed to preserve Saanich lakes | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Did you know that Elk and Beaver lakes are dying?
The danger is already evident: blooms of noxious cyanobacteria are now common. The resulting algae is poisonous to humans. I’m sure you’ve noticed that in recent years the lakes have been regularly closed to swimmers because of high levels of toxins. This water can make people very sick and is potentially lethal for dogs. In fact, a water advisory by the Capital Regional District has been in place for weeks warning the public not to swim in Beaver Lake. The health of fish and other organisms in the lake is decreasing and harmful aquatic weeds are spreading rapidly.
If we don’t act, the lakes will eventually become a slimy, weed-infested swamp unfit for human contact.
Elk and Beaver lakes, as we know them today, were created in the 1870s by the construction of a dam in order to provide drinking water to Victoria. The nutrient-rich marsh land which was flooded in the process, as well as pollution in the years that followed, has led to a severe excess of phosphorous in the water. Although the pollution has mostly stopped, there is now enough phosphorous concentrated in the lakes to eventually choke out almost all life.
And yet right now this is the most popular natural place in the region. I don’t need to convince you how wonderful this spot is. Every year hundreds of thousands of us visit these lakes and the surrounding regional park. The lakes are used extensively by swimmers, rowers and fishers. Many of us also love to relax on the beach, picnic in the park or attend events like Saanich’s annual Strawberry Festival. Other popular activities include wind-surfing, canoeing, radio yacht racing, water-skiing and sailing. The surrounding trails are also used by walkers, runners, cyclists and horse-riders.
We all share a responsibility to protect these lakes for our children and future generations.
I am pleased to write that excellent work is already underway. As the MLA for Saanich South, I want to publicly acknowledge the remarkable contributions made by members of the Victoria Golden Rods and Reels Fishing and Social Club, Peninsula Streams Society and the Colquitz Coalition, the Environmental Law Centre at UVic, the BC Lake Stewardship Society and the rowing community. Special mention is needed for the herculean efforts made by Mick Collins, Robert McConnell, Rick Nordin. Thank you all. You have our enduring gratitude.
The CRD is also strengthening their efforts to address this issue. They’ve hired a project co-ordinator and are working intensively to develop an action plan in the next year. Options under consideration at this early stage include: adding a binding agent to capture the phosphorous, aeration and/or dredging. The CRD has also recently purchased a weed harvester to manage the aquatic vegetation.
Can the lakes be saved? Yes. The question now under intense study is how that can best be accomplished. Excellent background information is available at colquitzcoalition.com. I am confident we will have remediation options to consider by mid 2017.
I look forward to working with community groups and all levels of government to make sure appropriate actions are taken in a timely, cost-effective and efficient manner. The public expects and deserves no less than that.
Lana Popham is the MLA for Saanich South. | http://www.saanichnews.com/opinion/390237351.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/f940101f0843f965112e23645f9c3b9a241b89c4f3da3d11329268755847c8c1.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:14:31 | null | null | The National Horseshoe Pitching Championships were held at the Greater Victoria Horseshoe Pitching Association’s club | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fsports%2F390960591.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/3384saanichhorseshoenationals-5.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Pitching ringers | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Chantel Wilson of Sooke (left) centres her pitch at the women’s competition of the National Horseshoe Pitching Championships. The event was held last week at the Greater Victoria Horseshoe Pitching Association’s club near Glanford Park. | http://www.saanichnews.com/sports/390960591.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/8f599d8866c8d960841ac253b88d618b9e0f4c90668dab914b3510d9f979c45e.json |
[
"Jacob Zinn"
] | 2016-08-26T12:56:09 | null | null | Four concerts to be held at Saanich shopping centre during August | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fentertainment%2F388705871.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/18039saanichbroadmeadmusic.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Music will fill Broadmead Village on Saturdays | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Traditional and modern Celtic quartet Cookeilidh is one of the four acts lined up for the Summer Music at Broadmead, a concert series at Broadmead Village that runs every Saturday in August from 1 to 3 p.m.
Shopping at Broadmead is getting a bit more musical, with Saturday afternoon concerts taking over the plaza this month.
Summer Music at Broadmead kicks off Aug. 6, offering concerts every Saturday in August from 1 to 3 p.m. The shows are put on in partnership by the Broadmead Area Residents’ Association and Broadmead Village.
“The lady who was doing it retired from the board and I was given the responsibility because I was a professional musician all my life,” said Sophie Siebert, one of BARA’s directors, with a laugh.
The lineup includes jazz group Dave Lang & The Insolent Rabble (Aug. 6), Celtic quartet Cookeilidh (Aug. 13), the genre-spanning Arbutus Wind Quartet (Aug. 20) and light popular classical three-piece the Candlelight Trio (Aug. 27).
“I decided to try to get a variety of kinds of music instead of the standard pop-rock,” said Siebert, noting the artists cover everything from swing and blues to folk and multicultural music. “I tried to stress diversity among the groups.”
Siebert said the plaza has proven to be a great venue during community festivals and events at Broadmead, making it an appropriate use for a four-concert series.
“Since the mall has been redone, it really has a more community feel,” she said. “There’s a gazebo and seating and open space and restaurants all around the plaza. It seemed like a really good thing that might turn into more of a community event.
“On either side of the gazebo is Romeo’s with some outdoor seating and the Artisan Bistro, which has some outside seating and a door that opens up the inside.”
Siebert said she hopes the concerts will attract more people to Broadmead Village, and with any luck, will lead to more musical performances at the plaza in the future, especially classical ones.
“Because I’d been a classical musician, I wanted to make sure there was one classical performance because no one does it anymore,” she added with a laugh.
For more information, visit broadmead.ca or broadmeadvillage.ca. | http://www.saanichnews.com/entertainment/388705871.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/cd576013d7b96fb2151f29004bef1fa1ebf8b4b84a1aceeef043218fa1ea46ea.json |
[
"Travis Paterson"
] | 2016-08-26T13:11:29 | null | null | Council unanimously approves motion calling for a review of detached secondary suites | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fnews%2F391218621.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Saanich to take a closer look at detached suites | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | On a night of hotly debated topics, one thing Saanich council did agree on was to look into detached suites.
Coun. Fred Haynes brought the report to council which asked staff to move on a delayed 2014 request to study the reality of detached secondary suites in Saanich. The motion was approved unanimously, but there was a question from Coun. Vic Derman as to whether the detached suites, including those which already exist, should be legalized in Saanich’s rural areas.
“I am delighted at the unanimous support from council for moving forward on detached secondary suites in Saanich,” Haynes said. “We have legalized secondary suites north and south of McKenzie within the urban containment boundary, and this report is the same, to study detached suites inside the urban containment boundary.”
Whatever they’re called, granny suites, laneway cottages or something else, permitting their construction will help address the dire shortage of rental supply and housing options in the region, Haynes said.
“We all recognize there is an affordability crisis for housing for individuals and families. Increasing the supply of these small affordable options is the answer.”
The recent trend toward tiny homes, or micro homes, including those on wheels, should all be included, Haynes added.
“I do caution the detached suites location,” said Coun. Vicki Sanders. “For example, not at Cordova Ridge, but rather I see having them where there is transit [and infrastructure].”
Two speakers on Monday mentioned a desire to rent out their home, which has empty bedrooms, while living in an outbuilding on their own property.
“With 30,000 homes in Saanich, if just 10 per cent took this up it would add 3,000 rental units to existing housing stock,” Haynes said. “As well, I have reason to believe that up to 40 per cent of suites in Saanich are occupied by single mothers, so we also need to think about who this benefits.” | http://www.saanichnews.com/news/391218621.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/733e0bc8df62b7637c24915be907cc44a37668409b13eecbcfc012ada0c4d4c9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:57:07 | null | null | Group will perform classical favourites from the mid 17th century at 1:30 and 4 p.m. atop the water reservoir | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fentertainment%2F388484891.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/3625saanichRavenBaroqueBCDay.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Raven Baroque return to Mount Tolmie for B.C. Day | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Members of the Raven Baroque will return, in dress, to the top of Mount Tolmie for the eighth annual Raven Baroque, Monday, with performances at 1:30 and 3 p.m.
The flowing gowns of the Raven Baroque classical musicians return to the top of Mount Tolmie for the eighth straight B.C. Day concert on Monday.
The group will perform classical favourites from the mid 17th century at 1:30 and 4 p.m. atop the water reservoir.
“It’s a gorgeous venue with great views of the city, the Coast Range, the Gulf Islands, the Salish Sea,” said Raven Baroque organizer Don Kissinger, president of the Island String Players Society.
The group provides patio chairs for guests to enjoy the music and the views.
The panoramic mountain views are the perfect backdrop for some of the city’s best musicians who will launch into Bach, Handel and Vivaldi, Kissinger said.
Raven Baroque holds annual concerts atop Mount Tolmie on B.C. Day as well as Canada Day. The group of 10 musicians play concertos for solo flute, solo piano, solo violin, two violas and for three violins.
Baroque is one of the most popular forms of classical music. The era brought about Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and a lot of other favourites.
“It’s not something where people need a background in classical music to enjoy,” said Kissinger. “It seems to be the type of classical music people automatically like.”
Admission is by donation.
For more information visit Raven Baroque at ravenbaroque.org. | http://www.saanichnews.com/entertainment/388484891.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/993d67ae98e7bb892792c9cc8ab606de372484309edaac920f53f14f8b58e12c.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T18:51:44 | null | null | Unlocked homes and vehicles provide an irresistible target to thieves | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fopinion%2F391662731.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Thefts a reminder to keep valuables secure | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | As we enjoy the final few weeks of summer on our island paradise, basking in sunshine and breathing in the fresh ocean breeze, it’s easy to forget that impressions can sometimes be deceiving.
Saanich is certainly one of the best places to call home on the planet, but that doesn’t mean the community is immune from the problems of the rest of the world. More than a few Saanich residents have recently been reminded of that by Saanich Police.
Police have witnessed a large spike in the number of thefts from vehicles in recent weeks, something acting Sgt. Jereme Leslie attributes to a lack of diligence.
“It might be that people leave windows open on a sunny day, thinking, I’m going to get back in the car in an hour, I don’t want it to be hot, and then forget the window, and it creates a crime of opportunity,” said Leslie, adding most of the thefts are from unlocked vehicles.
And car owners aren’t the only ones at risk to theft.
Saanich has been hit by several strings of break-ins so far this year, with a 33-year-old local man facing charges for the most recent one, involving nine break and enters stretching from Vanalman Road to the Central Saanich border.
A common element to many of the most recent break-ins, as well as those earlier this year, involve a home that isn’t properly secured.
“When it’s 30 degrees outside, people may leave their windows open at the top to air out the house, and they leave and a bad guy has gone through the screen window and ransacked the place,” said Leslie.
Summertime in Saanich brings a world of activities to our doorstep. We would encourage everyone to make the most of the opportunities available, but before you head off into our little corner of paradise, make sure you take the necessary precautions to prevent your outing from being marred by theft. | http://www.saanichnews.com/opinion/391662731.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/a8480c86fe929997fdaf7e200c86d8f20f8da7de0f5f398428fbdbed058d1c16.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:06:54 | null | null | Saanich News reader snaps a photo of a pig who made a break for freedom on Majestic Drive. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fcommunity%2F390614921.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/20694saanichpig.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Pig on the loose | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Lily Erlic recently received a shock as she noticed a pig on the loose as she was driving on Majestic Drive in Saanich. The owner soon came along to bring Pico the Pig home. | http://www.saanichnews.com/community/390614921.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/7a17544e37f574e83128af510d1c7305dbec3cffbd8b26848d47b6475ed46be1.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:00:45 | null | null | Victoria Caledonian Brewery and Distillery opened Wednesday in Saanich | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fbusiness%2F390500981.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/73995saanichBreweryOpening.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Opening on tap | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | Chloe Reaburn fills a growler of Twa Dogs robust porter at the Victoria Caledonian Brewery and Distillery on Enterprise Crescent. The brewery opened Wednesday, and is the only one in Saanich. | http://www.saanichnews.com/business/390500981.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/44c27d9068b9b40109cf6999aa3fd0e8f465ec38bca99e7193b48e819af7dd2b.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:04:42 | null | null | Care-2-Share 2016 is Saturday, Aug. 20, 2 to 4 p.m. at Island Community Mental Health, 125 Skinner St. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fcommunity%2F390618801.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/BlackNewsMedia-CLR.png?t=12345? | en | null | Care-2-Share resource fair shares ideas, inspiration around mental health | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | By Antonia Kowalewski
One out of five British Columbians will experience mental illness at some point in their lives. Whether these people are friends, family members or ourselves, mental illness is a topic that affects us all. How can something so widespread be so stigmatized?
Throughout history, there has been a veil of fear dressed between those with mental illness and those without.
Historically, admitting you had a mental illness could land you in a mental asylum where you would experience incarceration and perhaps even torture, and fear of this is understandable.
What many people don't realize is that those on the other side of the bars were just as scared, ridden with the fear of what is different. Society has a bad track record of fearing things outside of the "norm.”
In the 21st century, as we re-examine many of the traditional rules of society, it's high time to get past our fear of mental illness.
This Saturday, Care-2-Share 2016 seeks to be the first step in the process.
Principally organized by Monique Sekhon, a Reynolds grad currently studying Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, the goal of this event is to raise awareness about mental health and the resources available in our community.
The event will feature opportunities to share personal experiences as well as to discuss mental health and the stigma that surrounds it.
A resource fair with live music, presentations and food will provide a display of the Island's best mental health resources. Whether you suffer from mental illness, know someone who does or are simply curious about it, you can expect to leave inspired and with new knowledge.
All donations will go directly towards funding the Supported Education Program at Island Community Mental Health, which provides adults experiencing mental illness issues with the opportunity to pursue further education. It's time to tackle the stigma that surrounds mental illness. Care-2-Share 2016 is the perfect place to start. Join us this Saturday, Aug. 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Island Community Mental Health, 125 Skinner St. | http://www.saanichnews.com/community/390618801.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/7cc69ade81554a550e277d20d7920584d8ed2eaf7c2f2a6c6776df6cb2794ae9.json |
[
"Caroline Duncan"
] | 2016-08-26T13:05:44 | null | null | Phyllis Roberts born in landmark house on Blenkinsop Road in 1917 | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fcommunity%2F390496001.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/71966saanichsaanicharchives.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | Saanich Archives tackles oral history project | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | A picnic in Saanich, circa 1930, attended by the Mercer family. Mrs. Mercer is third from the left and Phyllis’ younger sister Muriel is standing with a milk bottle.
On a sunny afternoon in August four years ago I drove along Blenkinsop Road looking for the turn off to the historic Mercer home. Built on land that William Mercer had purchased from Adam Glendinning in the early 1900s, the landmark house at 4366 Blenkinsop Rd. had been a wedding gift from Mercer to his son Robert, and bride Gertrude, in 1916.
It was Robert and Gertrude Mercer’s daughter, Phyllis Roberts, who I was scheduled to meet that afternoon. Born in 1917, Phyllis had grown up on the family property, and in the 1970s had built her own home next door where she was still living in 2012.
Over the next two hours I listened to Phyllis’ recollections of growing up in Saanich in the 1920s. Her childhood was spent roaming over Mount Douglas, picking daffodils and playing with imaginary friends. “Oh they were great,” she told me. “They did everything I liked and they never argued with me.”
Phyllis showed me a number of items that had come from her childhood home: a wooden egg carton with metal springs, milk tins from the Mercer dairy, and an iron that she often saw her mother using. As I picked it up to feel the weight, Phyllis told me that her mother had ironed everything, heating two or three irons on the stove at once and swapping them as they cooled. Dresses, sheets, tablecloths, tea towels – everything was ironed.
Phyllis had attended Cedar Hill School and later Mount Douglas but was too independent to enjoy the structure and sedentary nature of the school day. “My mother used to say that these would be the best days of my life,” she recalled. “I remember thinking that the rest must be pretty awful.”
The interview with Phyllis Roberts is one of more than 120 recorded interviews at Saanich Archives.
The project started in the late 1970s and the interviews were then recorded on cassette tapes. These tapes were digitized in 2008 for preservation and access purposes. Digital audio has been used to capture the interviews since 2007.
As well as interviews with longtime residents, the oral history collection features conversations with former elected officials and retired Saanich employees. The interviews provide an opportunity to document personal experiences that are often missing from written records, such as those of women in the workplace or the experiences of childhood.
There is a wisdom about the present that can be gained from listening to the elders in our community. In each oral history interview I have done, I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to listen, ask questions, and to see the world through someone else’s experiences.
As I drove away from my meeting with Phyllis Roberts in 2012, I had a different perspective on Saanich. Now when I travel through the Blenkinsop Valley, I imagine Phyllis as a child in the 1920s, picking daffodils and exploring Mount Douglas.
Phyllis Roberts (nee Mercer) passed away in November 2015 at age 97. You can listen to her interview and other oral history recordings at Saanich Archives.
Caroline Duncan researches and writes about local history. She is the archivist at Saanich Archives and Oak Bay Archives. | http://www.saanichnews.com/community/390496001.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/09906dc670c154233acf8db7dbf0cfce53c656b61010c11bc2f5fb2006392045.json |
[
"Jeff Nagel"
] | 2016-08-26T13:10:04 | null | null | $60 a year increase for most drivers once optional auto insurance increase is included | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saanichnews.com%2Fnews%2F391304001.html.json | http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/52753BCLN2007CarcrashLangleyfile.jpg?t=12345? | en | null | ICBC seeks 4.9 per cent basic rate hike as crashes, costs climb | null | null | www.saanichnews.com | ICBC wants to increase basic auto insurance rates by 4.9 per cent – the fifth straight annual increase – as it continues to grapple with rising numbers of crashes, claims and dramatically increasing costs.
The typical driver will pay $3.50 a month or $42 a year more for basic insurance if the hike is approved.
But the corporation is also raising optional rates by 2.8 per cent so the average customer who buys both basic and optional insurance with ICBC will see their insurance bill rise $5 a month, or $60 a year.
ICBC CEO Mark Blucher said the basic rate hike would have been much worse – 15.5 per cent translating into a $130 annual premium increase – had the province not approved another major transfer of $472 million from the optional to the basic side of operations.
A compounding factor has been the long decline of interest rates, which result in less investment income revenue to ICBC.
"These external pressures have really created a perfect storm and it's a really significant challenge for the organization," Blucher said in an interview Thursday.
ICBC had raised rates 5.5 per cent a year ago, and the province's rate smoothing policy requires the annual change be within 1.5 per cent of the previous year's increase.
The number of crashes has climbed 15 per cent in two years and damage claims are up 11 per cent.
Vehicles are increasingly reliant on technology and expensive materials that have become more costly in recent years as the loonie sagged against the U.S. dollar.
Despite much safer vehicles, injury claims have soared to $2.4 billion, up 60 per cent from $1.5 billion in 2008.
"We've seen no evidence that these strong trends are abating," Blucher said. "In fact, if anything, they're continuing to escalate going forward."
Blucher also noted there are more cars on the road in B.C. today – 3.1 million up from 2.8 million in 2011 – and people are driving more because of cheaper gas, contributing to more accidents, particularly in densifying urban areas.
And he pointed to personal injury lawyers as an aggravating cause of ICBC's spiralling claims costs.
"B.C. is the only province in Canada where you can sue another motorist for even a minor traffic accident," Blucher said, noting an increase in lawyer-represented claims and advertising by injury law firms.
Internal operating costs have been cut by $186 million a year, and ICBC is counting on more savings ahead, through its modernization program, by more aggressively combatting insurance fraud and from a hoped-for drop in distracted driving as motorists respond to stiffer penalties.
But transfers from the optional side to bolster the basic side will likely be needed for the foreseeable future, Blucher said, because basic premiums can't keep up with rising costs.
In a surprise move, the B.C. government will this year forgo extracting its usual $160-million annual dividend from ICBC's optional side into general revenue.
"Forgoing the dividend this particular year is one strategy amongst a litany of others we're employing to get that basic trate increase down," Transportation Minister Todd Stone said.
Stone said the $514 million the province has transferred out of ICBC in dividends since 2012 is small compared to the $1.4 billion over the same period that has been shifted from the competitive optional side to basic to apply downward pressure on basic rates.
The minister would not say if the government would permanently give up the ICBC dividend.
Adrian DIx, the NDP critic for ICBC, said the dividends to government have exceeded $1.2 billion since 2010 and predicted they'll resume after next year's election because the BC Liberals are "addicted" to using ICBC as a "profit centre."
Dix said the reliance on shifting huge amounts of capital from optional to basic raises troubling questions.
"Next year they've got to find that $472 million," Dix said. "What they've done is create a disaster at ICBC and their only hope is to deceive the voters until after the election."
He said ICBC's new move to hire more claims staff underscores problems with completing the computer modernization that was supposed to make operations more efficient.
"The transformation project has taken longer than World War 2 and is not close to finished."
ICBC's basic rates rose 11.2 per cent in 2012 and at least five per cent every year since.
The new rate hike is subject to B.C. Utilities Commission approval.
ICBC Rate Pressure Charts | http://www.saanichnews.com/news/391304001.html | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.saanichnews.com/8b34a825882e4ebbc7c7483806d33ffc6b2c54a97d25ae50c50ddeca8e768bab.json |
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