Friday, January 24, 2014

L'Isle-Verte seniors' home fire raises ire over sprinkler regulation

By Amber Hildebrandt, CBC News Posted: Jan 24,

Push to protect seniors with extra safety feature, but patchwork of regulation in place

A crane knocks down a wall after a fatal fire destroyed a seniors residence in L'Isle-Verte, Que. Fire officials say sprinklers can easily save lives, but few Canadian homes are protected by them. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)

L'Isle-Verte Seniors' Home Fire Raises Ire Over Sprinkler Regulation by nelvely

US hints at Edward Snowden plea bargain to allow return from Russia

Paul Lewis, Spencer Ackerman and Dan Roberts in Washington-Thursday 23 January 2014

Attorney general prepared to 'engage in conversation' with NSA histleblower but says full clemency is 'going too far'

Edward Snowden said in a live webchat on Thursday: 'Returning to the US is the best resolution for the government, the public, and myself.' Photograph: AP

The attorney general, Eric Holder, has indicated that the US could allow the national security whistleblower Edward Snowden to return from Russia under negotiated terms, saying he was prepared to “engage in conversation” with him.

US Hints at Edward Snowden Plea Bargain to Allow Return From Russia by nelvely

Syria interactive: rebel groups fighting Assad's regime

FRIDAY 24 JANUARY 2014

Progress at the Geneva II conference may be undermined by the fact that many of the opposition fighting groups in Syria are not represented at the talks. Our graphic explains who those groups are.

Ban Ki-moon has called the Geneva II peace conference, which opens on 24 January, "our long-awaited chance to end the violence".

But the position of Syrian National Coalition, the western-backed "moderate" opposition to President Assad's regime, is undermined by the fact that it does not represent, or speak for, the huge number of Islamist fighters in Syria.

The coalition's link to the fighting is through the 140,000-strong Free Syrian Army. But there are other fighting groups inside Syria: the Syrian Islamic Liberation Front, together with the more extreme Syrian Islamic Front and the radical jihadist Al Nusrah group.

It is an indication of the challenge of Geneva II that most of the opposition groups described in our graphic reject the talks. Any gains achieved during discussions may not translate into compromise on the battlefield.

What is more, since Channel 4 News published its first interactive graphic of Syria's rebel groups in May 2013, the number of those fighting the Assad regime has grown.

Click on the name of the group at the top to explore details about their size, weapons, beliefs - and who funds them.

WikiLeaks: Sri Lanka’s Recent Efforts To Decriminalize Homosexual Behaviour Led To A Public Backlash: US

January 24, 2014

“Though Sri Lanka is still considered a low prevalence country for HIV/AIDS, most local HIV/AIDS experts agree that interventions must shift from general awareness campaigns to behavior change approaches targeted at vulnerable and at-risk populations. Government bureaucracy, lack of systematic data on risk behaviors, low knowledge levels, infection rates of at-risk groups and limited financial and human resources, however, inhibit this shift. Stigma and related discrimination further complicate interventions towards at-risk groups by making them ‘hidden.’” the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.

The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database. The unclassified diplomatic cable dated May 17, 2006, details the HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, and stigma reduction activities in Sri Lanka.

Under the subheading ” Stigma and discrimination permeate Sri Lankan society” the US Embassy wrote;

Accompanying limited knowledge about HIV/AIDS is widespread stigma and discrimination within the health sector, the workplace, current legislation, and the media.

Health Sector: A recent Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA) report documents high levels of stigmatization within the healthcare sector, but respondents noted a marked improvement at the National STD clinic and at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), the national referral hospital. Caregivers’ lack of experience and a severe lack of resources of dealing with the disease are often blamed for feeding discriminating sentiments.

Workplace: High levels of discrimination in the workplace have resulted in 98% of those infected with HIV losing their jobs, an issue currently being addressed by ILO’s HIV/AIDS in the Workplace Program, which was launched on July 8th, 2005.

Legislation: No laws exist to protect the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). Homosexual behavior is illegal in Sri Lanka under Section 365A of the Penal Code. Recent efforts to decriminalize it led to a public backlash and even more stringent anti-homosexual provisions.

Media: The media has been critiqued in the past for “numbers-oriented” reporting, breaches in confidentiality, casting moral judgments on mode of transmission, and sensationalizing AIDS as a “killer disease.” Leno suggested that the media can play an important role as an outlet for PLWHAs to begin speaking out publicly so that the disease becomes “normalized.” Therefore, incorporation of the media into future work would help reduce stigma and discrimination.

Placing a comment the Embassy said; “Considering the limited impact of previous HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, and stigma reduction activities, it remains to be seen if the recent policy turn of using more targeted behavioral change strategies towards at-risk populations will have a greater effect. The small numbers and areas currently targeted in pilot projects speak to the need for greater financial, human, and technical resources to expand programs to reach the threshold necessary to change attitudes and behaviors. Difficulty in follow-up for at-risk groups due to stigma and discrimination pose greater challenges for impact assessments. Such evaluations are necessary for policymakers to assess the ability of their programs to hinder the spread of HIV through behavior change.”

Read the cable below for further details;

God And The Buddha

By Rajindra Clement Ratnapuli -January 24, 2014

Rajindra Clement Ratnapuli

This brief note highlights some differences that many authors tend to overlook when trying to compare Buddhism with the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). The views expressed are those of a lay Buddhist and the author does not claim to be a religious scholar. The subject of God is nothing new and is unlikely to disappear from our midst any time soon. However, the number of non-believers of God is on the rise especially in the Western countries. Buddhism started to take off in the West probably in the late 19^th century after the “birth” of what some authors called the “Scientific Buddha” associated more with the science of the doctrine. Only time will tell whether this will eventually push the conventional “Asian Buddha” to backstage.

The origin of God, according to published literature, can be traced back to primitive cultures. God is basically a mental product created by the early primitive ignorant man as a means to overcome fear. The fear arose perhaps out of the evolutionary predator-prey survival instinct, coupled with the fear of natural disasters (floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, droughts) as well as disease and death. The caveman, some thousands of years ago had attributed these calamities to supernatural beings or things called ghosts and spirits. Later on came the living God, Satan, spirits, devils and angels. These concepts were used by the primitive man to explain the unknown, for he had no knowledge of the complexities of nature and how nature worked. Ignorance led to superstition, and God eventually got lodged in man’s head. This was believed to be an almighty being with enormous constructive (and destructive) power. Even today there are billions of people worldwide who believe that all things in this universe and everything that happens in nature are God’s work. This is obviously a very simplistic approach to understanding the intricacies of nature, or even to address man’s everyday life problems.

Woman, 20, sentenced to 'gang rape' by village court in east India
Punished for having a relationship with a man of another religion
She was tied to a platform and assaulted in front of the entire village
The village head told the 13 men to 'go enjoy yourselves' after 'ruling'

By RICHARD SHEARS

PUBLISHED: 08:36 GMT, 24 January 2014 | UPDATED: 12:38 GMT, 24 January 2014

'Go and Enjoy Yourselves' What Tribal Elder Said Before Indian Gang Rape Victim Was Tied to a Platform to B... by nelvely

Five dead after three Cairo blasts

FRIDAY 24 JANUARY 2014

A series of bombings in the Egyptian capital, apparently aimed at police, kill five people and injure dozens more. The attacks come as tension mounts between Islamists and the government.

The blasts, including early morning suicide car bomb, made up one of the most high-profile attacks on the state in months, and damaged police and state security.

A suicide bomber is thought to have been behind the car bomb, which sent black smoke rising over the capital.

Three policemen were among the fatalities, security sources said. At least 76 in total are said to have suffered injuries.

Two more blasts rocked the capital a couple of hours later in other parts of Cairo. On Thursday five policemen were shot dead by gunmen south of the city.

Witnesses told Reuters that they heard gunfire immediately after the huge blast, which twisted the metal and shattered windows of nearby shops. Wood and metal debris was scattered hundreds of metres around.

One body covered in a blanket lay in a pool of blood near a scorched car engine. Egypt's state television quoted witnesses as saying gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on buildings after the explosion. No-one has yet claimed responsibility for the blast.

Uprising anniversary

The attack came on the eve of the third anniversary of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak from power and raised hopes of a stable democracy in the Arab world's biggest nation. The banned Muslim Brotherhood has planned demonstrations across Egypt after Friday prayers for the anniversary of the uprising.

President Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood was toppled from power last July after mass protests.

The current interim Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi condemned the attack on the Cairo Security Directorate in a statement, saying it was an attempt by "terrorist forces" to derail the political road map which was, nevertheless, being implemented "firmly".

War gear: Weaponry & armor of rioters in Kiev (PHOTOS)

Published time: January 23, 2014 16:03
Edited time: January 23, 2014 17:46

January 22, 2014 (Reuters / Gleb Garanich)

While thousands of people take part in anti-government protests in Kiev, a small group of radical fighters were at the core of the last days violent clashes. And judging by their looks and actions, they are armed, trained and prepared for war.

January 23, 2014 (Reuters / Valentyn Ogirenko)

War Gear Weaponry &Amp Armor of Rioters in Kiev (PHOTOS) by nelvely

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Statement against the attacks on religious places by Buddhist extremist mobs

Thursday, 23 January 2014

A statement signed by persons below condemned the continued attacks on religious places of worship by Buddhist extremist mobs, the inaction of the Police and the silence of the mainstream religions and the mass media.

Statement Against the Attacks on Religious Places by Buddhist Extremist Mobs by nelvely

ஜெனிவா சென்று அரசின் மனித உரிமை மீறல் குறித்து சுட்டிக்காட்டுவேன்; விக்ரமபாகு கருணாரட்ன

23 ஜனவரி 2014, வியாழ
மார்ச் மாதம் நடைபெறும் ஐ.நா மனித உரிமை ஆணைக்குழுவின் கூட்டத் தொடரில் தானும் அரசசார்பற்ற நிறுவனங்களின் பிரதிநிதிகளுடன் கலந்து கொள்ள உள்ளதாக நவசமசமாஜ கட்சியின் தலைவர் கலாநிதி விக்ரமபாகு கருணாரட்ன தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

கூட்டத் தொடரில் கலந்து கொண்டு அரசாங்கம் மேற்கொண்டு வரும் ஜனநாயக விரோத மற்றும் மனித உரிமை மீறல்கள் தொடர்பில் சுட்டிக்காட்ட போவதாகவும் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார்.

அரசாங்கத்தின் பிரதிநிதிகளுடன் ஐக்கிய தேசியக் கட்சியின் சிலரும் ஜெனிவா செல்ல தீர்மானித்துள்ளனர். இதன் காரணமாக நாங்கள் தனியான அணியாக கூட்டத் தொடரில் கலந்து கொள்வோம்.

கற்றுக்கொண்ட பாடங்கள் மற்றும் நல்லிணக்க ஆணைக்குழுவின் அறிக்கைக்கு அமைய செயற்படாமை மற்றும் மனித உரிமை மீறல்கள் குறித்து மனித உரிமை ஆணைக்குழுவின் கவனத்திற்கு கொண்டு செல்லப்படும் என அவர் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளாரTranslate this page

Shows the state of human rights in Geneva; Wickremabahu Karunaratne

In March the UN. UN Human Rights Council session he and NGO's representatives will attend NSSP leader Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne said. session attended by the government which is anti-democratic and human rights violations at the point it would be mentioned. government with representatives of the United National Party and some decided to go to Geneva. For this reason we have a separate team will participate in the session. according to the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission inactive and human rights violations will be brought to the attention of the Human Rights Commission said,

Lalith Weertaunge Rebuts President On Northern Troop Numbers

January 23, 2014

Making a presentation to foreign diplomats in Geneva on January 21, presidential secretary Lalith Weeratunge contradicted President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the number of troops deployed in the Northern Province. Weeratunge is in Geneva as part of the campaign to fight against the impending resolution at the Human Rights Council in March 2014.

Weeratunga

On Sunday, January 19, President Rajapaksa while opening a hospital constructed with private sector donations claimed that there were only 12,000 Army personnel in the entire Northern Province. Speaking at the opening of the Tellippalai Trail Cancer Hospital president Rajapaksa added that the strength of the Army in the North at the end of the conflict was 70,000.

Yet making his presentation to Geneva diplomats just two days later Weeratunge says that there are 80,000 Army personnel in the North as of October 2013. Illustrating with a graph the Presidential Secretary claims that that there has been a reduction of 30 percent of Army troops from the peak deployment of roughly 120,000 in December 2009. Interestingly the graph shows that the number of troops in the North in fact increased after the end of the war in May 2009 to peak in December that same year. Weeratunge’s numbers do not consider the Navy and Air force personnel deployed in the Northern Province.

The Army currently has four Security Forces Head Quarters in the Northern Province, namely Jaffna, Wanni, Kilinochchi and Mullaittiyu. Among these there are 14 Divisions and 3 task forces. By convention a Division would consist of between 10,000 to 30,000 troops. The Army deployment in the Northern Province is as follows;

Security Forces Headquarters – Jaffna (SFHQ-J)

51 Division, based in Jaffna

52 Division, based in the Jaffna Peninsula

55 Division, based in Elephant Pass Military Base, Jaffna Peninsula[32]

Security Forces Headquarters – Wanni (SFHQ-W)

Area Headquarters Mannar, Mannar

21 Division

56 Division, operating in the Vavuniya District

61 Division, operating in the Vavuniya District

Security Forces Headquarters – Kilinochchi (SFHQ-KLN)

57 Division, operating in the Kilinochchi District

66 Division, operating in the Kilinochchi District

68 Division, operating in the Kilinochchi District

Task Force 3, operating in the Kilinochchi District

Task Force 7, operating in the Kilinochchi District

Security Forces Headquarters – Mullaittivu (SFHQ-MLT)

59 Division, operating in the Mullaittivu District

64 Division, operating in the Mullaittivu District

65 Division, Thunukkai, Mullaittivu District

Task Force 2, operating in the Mullaittivu District

Independent Divisions

53 Division, based at Mankulam

58 Division, based at Paranthan (formally referred to as the Task Force 1

Sri Lanka: Note on The Commission on Disappearances sittings in Kilinochchi

Brito Fenando -Thursday, January 23, 2014

· Inquiry started focusing Kilinochchi District and covered 10 Grama Sevaka Divisions in 4 days.

· Registered victims are called according to the GS divisions.

· The staff interview all the persons who come there and new forms were also filled by the staff.

· Three commissioners inquire the victims , one by one and refer them to the state councilors for recording further details.

· The proceedings are been reordered and Tamil translations was given.

· We were allowed to sit as observers. On 18^th Rev. Fr. Sebamalei and Myself were there. 19^th, I was there. On 20^th and 21^st MCC representative was there.

	Number called for inquiry	Number inquired	The total number appeared
18^th January	38	38	90
19^th	52	44	44
20^th	41	37	114
21^st	25	36	160

· When the families hear about the commission ‘s sittings They come even without invitations.

· Army and Police after visiting many families in Kilinochchi area, had asked them to come near the Kilinochchi AGA’s office, on 20^th . Nearly 1200 family members have come including the members of the armed forces, whose relatives were disappeared. The families have been asked to accept the death certificates promising their welfare will be looked after.9 Death certificates have been issued. Some, who participated there, also came to the commission, which was also held near by. ( Will get more details about this)

· The next dates have not yet been finalized.

On Rajapaksa Practice: If You Cannot Win Them Over, Buy Them!

By Tariq A. Al Maeena --January 23, 2014

Tariq A. Al-Maeena

It has been industry practice in many countries for authorities to curry favors from news personalities. Such a practice becomes more evident when their institutions are under fire and they need all the good press they can cultivate. But a few independent news publications and individuals do stand out and do not fall for the financial windfalls doled out in exchange for good print.

One such publication is the Sri Lankan Colombo Telegraph whose motto says, “In journalism truth is a process.” The news website which getsblocked from time to time for its critical and hard-hitting expose of corruption in the Sri Lankan government now highlights how Sri Lankan PresidentMahinda Rajapaksa is currying favors through a novel scheme of providing key media players and personalities with interest free loans.

Leaked files in possession of the Colombo Telegraph “show that the Rajapaksa regime has granted 547 journalists and media workers a Rupees 1,200,000 ($9,200) of interest free government loans from a state bank to purchase car or van, where the interest will be paid by the Treasury using taxpayer money.”

The Colombo Telegraph charges that “journalists from virtually every mainstream media in the country with the exception of the Sunday Times newspaper have accepted laptops and car loans or both from the Rajapaksa regime.”

Among the news persons were BBC journalists assigned to its Sinhala section. The Colombo Telegraph’s exposures about “the serious conflict of interest issues and violations of standard journalistic ethics” compelled the BBC World Service to rule that “some of its Sinhala Section journalists have breached journalistic ethics and violated the BBC’s code of conduct by applying for interest free vehicle loans offered by the Sri Lankan Government.” The BBC has also stated that the staff in breach of the code would be sent for retraining.

But the BBC journalists who were pulled up apparently did not get the correct message from London headquarters. Those who were granted the loan never withdrew their applications, according to the Colombo Telegraph. “They can go to the recommended bank and get the loan anytime” secretary to the Media Ministry Charitha Herath told the news site.

The news has not gone down well with many Sri Lankans alarmed at the course their current President is charting for their country. Besides charges of systematic genocide that the Tamils have suffered or claim that they continue to suffer, a terrorist group of Buddhists calling themselves the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) have been focusing their crosshairs on the other minorities in the country including Christians and Muslims.