Women In Politics And Their Representation In The Media

By Shani Asokan -May 5, 2014

Shani Asokan

Women in politics in the modern age are under-represented in most countries worldwide, in contrast to men. Nevertheless, they are progressively being elected to be heads of state and government.

Currently, more than 20 countries in North and South America, Australia and, Africa have a woman holding office as head of government, and the global participation rate of women in politics is approximately 20%. Although it is becoming less so in the political sphere, patriarchy is still a strong theme in mainstream media.

Margaret Gallagher in “Feminist Issues in the Global Media System”[i]speaks of the ‘sticky floor’ effect for women in media jobs. She identifies women as working predominantly in the middle-level areas of the media industry. That is, they can be presenters or newscasters, but never producers.

Due to this kind of exclusion, men hold most top jobs in the media, which could be a reason for the rather lop-sided manner in which women; primarily women in politics, are portrayed in the media. For this reason and others, more women should attempt to go against this norm and aim for top-level jobs in the industry by making civil society more aware of this gender-based hierarchy that exists within the media today.

Recently, the decision of four female celebrities to run for political office in the upcoming provincial council elections in Sri Lanka caught the attention of the media and created a nation-wide buzz.

According to an article in The Republic Square[ii], it was the statement by the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) that was most notable. They lamented that two of the main political parties were neglecting experienced local politicians and filling their nomination lists with ‘sex symbols’. As Kusal Perera of the Colombo Telegraph[iii] pointed out, this in itself is symbolic of the problems women face today.

While women have begun to shatter glass ceilings in most professions in Sri Lanka, sexism is still rampant, especially in the political sphere. The CaFFE went on to comment on the lack of experienced and active females in Sri Lankan politics. This being said, they also stated that the nomination of female celebrities as candidates has ensured that the political arena in Sri Lanka will continue in its patriarchal state for the foreseeable future.

                                         Read More

'We just came here to live' plead Tamil asylum seekers, arrested in India 05 May 2014 Ten asylum seekers, including five children, arrested by Indian security forces off Dhanuskodi coast today have pleaded not to be deported back to Sri Lanka, stating "we just want to live". The asylum seekers, who were picked up by police from two boats at 4.30am today, said that they were fleeing Mullaitivu, fearful of their lives amidst increasing arrests, interrogations and white van abductions.  "Using false reasons they keep interrogating you," one of the asylum seekers, Uthayakala, told Indian press. "We've fled the country because they continued to say false reasons [and interrogated us]," she added. "Please, we won't go back, and please don't separate our family with jail, etc, we just came here to live, so that our children can study, " Uthayakala said in an emotional plea. "In Sri Lanka, although the conflict ended 5 years ago, we're still in this state of war, from one jail to another, [we] spend most of the time on the streets with the children," she added. Speaking about widespread abductions via infamous 'white van incidents', Raveenthiran, another asylum seeker said,  "You don't know what van they are coming in or how they will take you away. Under the name of inquiry, they come to your house and take you away. You can't say if they are releasing those they are taking away or what they are doing. You don't know what's going to happen," All ten were detained by Indian police and taken to Rameswaran, PTI reported, where they were questioned by police.

Forces and police utilized unlawfully for MaRa’s May rally- arrack , bread and money distributed to rope in crowds

(Lanka-e-News- 05.May.2014, 3.30PM) The Sri Lanka (SL) army and the police force were utilized most unlawfully by MaRa to make the SLFP May day rally on the 1 st of May a success , according to reports reaching Lanka e news. This was the first time in SL the forces and the police were utilized on such a large scale to do the sordid biddings of a ruling party for a May day rally . 

The State transport board buses that transported crowds for the government’s May day rally were permitted to use the expressway free of charge .It is the army that has facilitated these movements at the Matara Godagama point.

In addition a special army team was detailed to organize the SLFP May day rally. They were exclusively engaged in these activities and not in providing security. What’s more ? at Kegalle , on the May day every police station of the district was instructed to distribute 100 loaves of bread for the participants of the SLFP rally.

Moreover , certain organizers distributed Rs. 2000 each to those participating in the SLFP May day procession , in addition to the distribution of ‘special arrack’ bottles and rice packets.

National Medicinal Drugs Regulatory Authority Bill Violates National Medicinal Drugs Policy

May 5, 2014

The draft National Medicinal Drugs, Devices and Cosmetic regulatory Authority bill clearly violates the principles and directives given by the National Medicinal Drugs Policy of Sri Lanka, Professionals concerned on the threat to the Health of the Nation said today.

Health Minister Sirisena

Writing to the Health Minister, the Peoples’ Health Forum today accused the minister for not officially circulating the draft bill which is scheduled to be presented to the Cabinet on 8th May to any individuals or professional organizations for comments.

We publish below the letter to the Minister in full;

Dear Sir,

We would like to draw your urgent attention to several important issues in relation to the National Medicinal Drugs, Devices and Cosmetic regulatory Authority Bill, which is scheduled to be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers on 8^th May.

1. The draft bill was not officially circulated to any individuals or professional organizations for comments up to now.  Only a handful of individuals have dratted this bill, which is kept as a secret from the citizen of this country.  This bill deal with “Life and Death” of the masses of this country. As citizens of this country who are directly affected by this bill we should be given the opportunity to review it.  We as professionals had to obtain a copy of the bill presented to the Cabinet in an unofficial manner.  Our comments are based on the draft obtain through such means.
2. The purpose of this bill is to formulate a legal framework to implement the National Medicinal Drugs Policy (NMDP) that was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in September 2005 which was developed based on the principles laid down by late Prof. Senaka Bibile.  However, we find the draft bill clearly violates the principles and directives given by the National Medicinal Drugs Policy of Sri Lanka
3. The main intention of establishing the National Medicinal Drugs, Devices and Cosmetic regulatory Authority is to rectify the major issues in drug regulation in the country.  It was observed that the present system is not effective and leading to corrupt practices, substandard drugs been imported to the country, frequent quality issues, frequent shortages and huge financial burden to the Ministry of Health. Hence, NMDP clearly decided to establish a Drug Regulatory Authority under the Minster of Health BUT outside the departmental structure of the Ministry of Health.   The initial draft of the Bill done in 2007-2009 period had this clearly stated with a Structure of the “New Authority”. However, we find the present bill has totally changed this structure.
4. The present bill has suggested a “Authority” mealy to endorse the work done by the existing drug regulatory division.  According to the new bill, National Medicinal Drugs, Devices and Cosmetic regulatory Authority is only a board of management with a CEO.  But the bill does not spell out the structure of the Authority. 
5. According the new bill, the existing DRA has changed its name to MDR division within the directorate of DDGLS.  Hence, the new bill continues to have the “Actual drug regulatory work “within the existing system without handing over to the proposed “Authority”. This is clear Violation of the National Policy.   As stated above this is an attempt to mislead the whole nation by calming “A new Authority is established under the new Bill”.
6. If this bill is enacted in this form, the Whole Nation will suffer for generations and the free health system in the country will collapse within a decade.
7. We earnestly request you to present this bill for public comments and to rectify those gross errors though a fruitful dialogue.  We have only shown one fundamental flaw in the Bill. There are many more to be corrected.
8. Concerned professionals are ready to explain the gross errors in this bill if we are provided with an opportunity to meet the Minister of Health in person.

Thank you

Professionals concerned on the threat to the Health of the Nation

Gnanasara Thero and 5 others released on bail

May 5, 2014

Four Buddhist monks including BBS General Secretary Ven. Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thero and 2 others have been released on bail after appearing before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today over the incident at the Jathika Bala Sena press conference.  

They were ordered to appear before the court today in the case filed against the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) members for storming a Jathika Bala Sena press conference at the Nippon Hotel on April 09, harassing its chairman Ven. Watareka Vijitha Thero and insulting the Holy Quran.

The 4 BBS monks and the 3 laymen appeared before the court today and were ordered released on personal bail of Rs 100,000 each by Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage. 

Sri Lankan Buddhist monks in court accused of insulting Koran

PHOTO: Sri Lankan Muslims at a protest in 2012. Police have created a new unit to deal with hate crimes, following incidents of violence against Musli

Four of Sri Lanka's most senior hardline Buddhist monks have appeared in court, accused of insulting the Koran.

It's the first such case following a spate of religious hate attacks.

Police accused the monks from the nationalist Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), or Buddhist Force, of making disparaging remarks against the Islamic holy book after bursting into a meeting of religious leaders last month.

Police said the monks also intimidated a moderate colleague who was promoting religious tolerance.

"The four priests along with two laymen were summoned by court today and granted bail in the sum of 100,000 rupees (USD $770) each," police spokesman Ajith Rohana said.

"The magistrate warned them not to indulge in such activities. We will file formal charges when the case is called again next month."

BBS leader Galagodaatte Gnanasara said he and the three other monks were not guilty of any offence.

"We wanted to plead not guilty, but we had no opportunity to speak in court. We are told a hearing will be on June 9," he said.

Crackdown on hate crime

Authorities in Sri Lanka are attempting to crack down on hate crimes following attacks blamed on monk-led mobs last year and early this year on Muslim-owned shops, a mosque and a Christian prayer centre.

Muslim leaders have complained to the government that the BBS was leading a hate campaign - a charge the group denies.

Last week, Muslim lawmakers, including government ministers, asked President Mahinda Rajapakse to protect the community from "Buddhist extremist elements" blamed for the attacks.

Police established a new unit last week to investigate hate crimes in the wake of the violence, which raised concerns about religious freedoms.

Nationalist Buddhist groups, including the BBS, accuse religious minorities of having undue political and economic influence.

The country is emerging from nearly four decades of ethnic war which, according to UN estimates, claimed at least 100,000 lives between 1972 and 2009.

Rebels were fighting for a separate homeland for ethnic minority Tamils, who are mainly Hindu, on the ethnic Sinhalese-majority island.

AFP

Governing signs of splits emerge in UPFA

Monday, 05 May 2014 

The dissent brewing among constituent parties in the ruling coalition and leaders of several coalition partners are likely to shift allegiance in a future election.

The Sunday Lankadeepa newspaper in its lead news has directly alluded to nationalist parties Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) and National Freedom Front (NFF) as possible coalition partners who are suspected of shifting allegiance from the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) .

The monk-led JHU voted against the orders of the Strategic Development Project Act which was taken up in the parliament last week while the MPs of breakaway Marxist party led by Minister Wimal Weerawansa abstained from voting. Both parties accuse the government of planning to introduce casino through these development projects.
JHU General Secretary, Minister Champika Ranawaka says the party is ready to work with any force that accepts the policies of the JHU.

Ranawaka has made this comment to the Mawbima newspaper.

He has said the JHU cannot go any further with the government.

Ranawaka has explained that the government was not implementing the Mahinda Chinthana policy statement that was accepted by all governing party leaders and instead the UNP’s Regaining Sri Lanka policies are being implemented. The JHU is to commence a social dialogue on the matter.

According to the JHU Minister, people are once again in the same position like they were in 2005 when they were in need of a change.

Meanwhile, Sunday Divaina newspaper reported that several leaders of the government coalition parties are discussing with the major opposition United National Party (UNP) over the political situation of the country.

According to the Divaina report, several ruling party leaders are having discussions with the senior leaders of the UNP and several coalition parties which had disputes recently with the ruling party intend to join the UNP to contest future elections.

A senior UNP member has confirmed to the Divaina that currently some ruling party leaders are holding discussions with the UNP and several others have made appointments to hold discussions in the

Government coalition minority political parties, especially Muslim parties are also concerned over the rising Buddhist extremism which they claim the government overlooks, political observers say.

The Muslim parliamentarians recently wrote to the President urging him to take action to curtail the incidents of religious intolerance by the Buddhist extremist groups.

James Packer and David Gyngell in ‘mad dog’ brawl

James Packer and David Gyngell scuffle outside Mr Packer’s Bondi Beach apartment. Picture: Mediamode.com Source: News Corp Australia

May 5, 2014

Australian Billionaire James Packer and David Gyngell, CEO of Australian commercial broadcasting network Channel Nine, have said a violent street brawl between them in Bondi was part of the “ups and downs” of a 35-year friendship.

The former best mates came to physical blows in a public dispute that was captured by a photographer yesterday afternoon.

News Corp, publisher of The Australian, has bought the picture set of the punch-up. Tomorrow’s print and digital editions of The Australian will carry further images of the stoush, plus exclusive video will be available on our website tomorrow morning.

The explosive images show Packer and his former best man, Gyngell, locked in a head lock next to a brick wall on which Packer is then believed to have hit his head.

Gyngell returned to the scene of the stoush early this morning to break bread with Packer and massage the message, which reiterated they remained best friends after 35 years. Gyngell, who had shaved his beard and was dressed in a sharp blue suit and tie, told reporters nothing had changed in their relationship.

The joint statement issued through Nine said: “We have been friends for 35 years and still are. In that time we have had our fair share of ups and downs. We respect each other and neither of us will be commenting further.”

Later in the morning, News Corp non-executive chairman Lachlan Murdoch visited Packer’s Campbell Parade compound to see his friend.

A witness described the vicious brawl that erupted between them as “like two mad dogs going at each other’s throats.”

One of a handful of witnesses to the fight said Gyngell pulled up on Sir Thomas Mitchell Drive outside Packer’s house yesterday afternoon and engaged in a long and abusive phone call with an unnamed person.

The witness described Gyngell’s rage on the phone as “like a drunk” although it was around 2pm on a Sunday afternoon and there was no doubt he was in an uncontrollable rage, rather than drunk.

Gyngell threatened the caller, presumed to be Packer, and repeatedly said he was going to “punch him”.

The strength and anger in Gyngell’s voice roused a couple of neighbours normally immune to the fights and odd behaviour along the busy beachside strip.

Gyngell’s blind rage alerted a security guard from Packer’s compound who tried to calm him in the driveway.

Shortly after, Packer arrived, jumped out of the car and the two best friends came together and “just went at each other”, the witness said.

Packer’s security guard and driver both attempted to break up the fight, hanging off the backs of both big men but to little avail.

Incredibly, for a cold but sunny Bondi afternoon, the stoush only attracted a few onlookers, with one woman believed to have captured the fight on a phone and a paparazzo taking photographs that are expected to attract tens of thousands of dollars in a fierce media bidding war today.

The witness said the fight continued for “quite a while”.

A number of severe punches to the head connected and the two engaged in a head lock and wrestled each other to the ground.

The severe sound of one of the men’s heads hitting a brick fence appeared to bring the fight to a halt and the two friends parted. The duo later searched for something in the grass, believed to be a tooth.

The images suggest Gyngell hit his forehead on the fence.

The lifelong friendship between the two Sydney men was placed under particular strain after James Packer split from his second wife, Erica Baxter, last year. Gyngell had been best man at the couple’s wedding. The two men both attended Sydney’s Cranbrook school and Gyngell’s father Bruce had a long association with Packer’s father Kerry Packer, running his Nine Network for many years.

The sons fell out about six months ago after Gyngell, as his best mate, expressed his concerns about Packer walking out on his wife and children.

Packer is believed to have been extremely displeased with Gyngell’s intervention, and the pair are understood not to have spoken for a period.

Gyngell, the CEO of Nine Entertainment Co, and his wife Leila McKinnon are expecting their second child imminently.

Photographic agency Media Mode is shopping the images of the brawl around today.

“Life-long friends seem to be friends no more!” the captions on the images proclaim. “The men wrestled for 5 minutes on the pavement before being separated by Packer’s security team.”

Eyewitness reports on Facebook of the vicious exchange said the pair were “going toe-to-toe” in a “big street fight”.

“Packer (packed) a punch but copped a couple of hits straight to the jaw,” according to one account. “Then they all fell on the concrete fence and I think the other guy broke his face ... They were looking for teeth after he left....”

Gyngell appears to have headed back to his home. Later a man who appears to be a doctor was photographed attending Packer’s home. - The Australian

Namal saves governing party MPs

 Monday, 05 May 2014 

First Son, MP Namal Rajapaksa has managed to protect all governing party members who were absent during the votes on three controversial gazette notifications in parliament during the last sessions.

The three gazettes were presented under the Strategic Development Act where tax concessions were granted to three development projects, which the opposition claims would establish gaming facilities.

Despite statements that disciplinary action would be taken against UPFA MPs who avoided voting for the gazette notifications, disciplinary action has been abandoned due to MP Namal Rajapaksa.

The President had issued a special order asking all MPs to cancel other engagements and participate in the voting for the three gazettes.

However, Namal Rajapaksa had left to Korea with 10 other MPs for the ‘Five Nation’ rugby tournament.

A large number of MPs were not in chambers at the time of voting for the three gazettes and it had been announced that the President had asked for the names of the MPs who avoided voting on the gazettes.

It was also announced that the President will call for disciplinary action against them.

However, once the names were made available disciplinary action against the MPs were abandoned since the list was headed by Namal and his friends.

Modi – “A Very Strong And Stable Government Will Be Formed”

By S. Sivathasan -May 5, 2014 

S. Sivathasan

In India Today dated May 3, 2014, there is a fine interview of Narendra Modi. Questions are sharp and answers are forthright. They provide an insight into the thinking of the intelligentsia as reflected in the questions and the mental frame of the prospective Prime Minister of India when answers are conveyed. To a question “What will be your 100 – day roadmap? He replied “People chose a government for 5 years, 100 days are only for the media. About the senior leaders of BJP he said “They are the foundation of the BJP….”A very strong and stable government will be formed”. Some excerpts and highlights are as below.

Modi has covered more than 300,000 km addressing over 400 rallies in about five months. It may be noted that this is a record in the electoral history of India.

When asked he explained his stamina thus: “I’m a mazdoor. I have worked hard since my childhood and worked as a labourer. I put my mind and heart into it. When the party gives me a responsibility, I must do it with complete dedication. God has given me the ability, which I utilise to its optimum.

I am thankful to God that there has been no disruption so far and no programme has been cancelled. Only one, due to the problem of aviation folks, my helicopter was not allowed to fly for over two hours. Outside of that, I have made it to rally venues on tim. Even the Western media has reported that public meetings of political parties are usually delayed by 3-4 hours, but Modi’s rallies are more or less on time”. Questions by IT and Answers by NM.

Don’t you get tired? Where do you get the energy from? Modi: The strength perhaps comes from people’s blessings… when I see the country and its people suffering. Also there is something called commitment, which keeps a person going.

IT: Yoga or Pranayam? Modi: That has been a part of my routine. I began going to RSS shakhas at an early age and I picked up this habit from there. It became a part of my lifestyle. These days, I hardly find time for yoga because of my packed schedule. I can say that out of 365 days, I manage to do yoga on at least 300 days.

IT: You took pride in saying there was no case filed against you. Now that an FIR has been registered, will you apologise to the Election Commission, or will you approach a court?     Read More

Magnitude-6.0 earthquake shakes northern Thailand

By Asian Correspondent May 05, 2014
A magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck in Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, Monday evening. Initial reports indicated just minor damage and no injuries. The quake struck at 6.08pm local time 27km from the provincial capital Chiang Rai. It was also felt in Bangkok and Burma’s capital Yangon.

9.48pm: This footage shows praying monks fleeing a temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand as the earthquake struck Monday evening:

9.45pm: Some footage from today’s quake in Chiang Rai province:

7.10pm: For this magnitude of earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey warns:

Expect aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures and can occur in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake.

7.04pm: Associated Press report suggests just light damage.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or serious damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake measured a preliminary magnitude of 6.0 and was centered 9 kilometers (6 miles) south of Mae Lao, Thailand, and 27 kilometers (17 miles) southwest of Chiang Rai. It said it was located at a relatively shallow depth of 7.4 kilometers (4.6 miles).

6.55pm: This tweet purports to show road damage in Chiang Rai province in northern Thailand after Monday evening’s quake.

สภาพถนนแยกที่อ.พาน จ.เชียงรายหลังเกิดแผ่นดินไหวภาพ-ณัฐวัตร ลาพิงค์pic.twitter.com/4yhzitfWRp

— sakaorat sirima (@baby_nnanorth) May 5, 2014

6.52pm: Apparent structural damage to a building in Chiang Rai, Thailand from Instagram. Caption says the earthquake lasted for almost a minute.            Read Full Story ›

Nigeria missing girls: President makes first comments

 
4 May 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan has admitted that Nigerian security forces still do not know where more than 200 abducted girls are being held.

They were taken three weeks ago from their school in Borno state by suspected Islamist militants.
President Jonathan was speaking for the first time since their disappearance amid growing criticism of the response.
He has come under fire for not speaking earlier and his government has faced increasing anger from the public.
"We promise that anywhere the girls are, we will surely get them out," he said in a live TV broadcast.
The president said that despite searches by the army and the air force, the girls had not been found.
He asked for the co-operation of parents and the local communities in the rescue efforts, saying the “government needs assistance.”
"It is a trying time for this country… it is painful," he added.

There have been protests across Nigeria calling on the government to do more to free the girls

The BBC’s Will Ross in Abuja says it appears somewhat astonishing that the girls cannot be found when there are reports they have been moved around in convoys of vehicles.
This seems to be a sign that there are parts of north-east Nigeria that are more or less off limits to the Nigerian armed forces, our correspondent says.
Islamist militants known as Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is a sin”, are believed to be behind the kidnapping of the girls from their school in Chibok.
They have waged a violent campaign in the north-east that has killed hundreds of Christians and Muslims.
President Jonathan dismissed the suggestion that negotiations were taking place to secure the release of the girls, saying it was impossible to talk to Boko Haram.
"You don’t negotiate with somebody you don’t know. The issue of negotiation has not come up," he said.

Security has been tightened in Abuja after two recent attacks killed nearly 100 people in the capital

He said his government has spoken to the United States and several other world powers, including France, Britain and China, for help with its security issues.
"We are talking to countries we think can help us out. The United States is number one. I have talked to President Obama at least twice," he said.

Call To End Rohingya Genocide With Endorsements CALL TO END ROHINGYA GENOCIDE Myanmar's Genocide of Rohingya Must End What is really going on in Myanmar/Burma beyond tourist brochures, media spin and official reform hype?

Call To End Rohingya Genocide With 
Endorsements                            

CALL TO END ROHINGYA GENOCIDE

Myanmar's Genocide of Rohingya Must End

What is really going on in Myanmar/Burma beyond tourist brochures, media spin and official reform hype?

Call To End Rohingya Genocide With Endorsements by Thavam Ratna

China sentences man to 10 years for spying

By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, May 5, 5:12 AM

BEIJING — A Chinese court has convicted a man of spying and sentenced him to 10 years in prison for leaking classified military documents to a foreign spy who also approached more than 50 other people around China, state media said Monday.

The official China Daily newspaper said on its website that the man stole secret military documents and transferred photographs and other useful information to the foreign party. It did not say to which foreign governments the information may have been transferred, and didn’t cite sources for its report.

The China Daily and other official media identified the suspect by the surname Li. They said the recipient of the documents was named Feige, but gave no other information about the person.

The newspaper said Li also gathered information about military bases in the southern province of Guangdong, home to China’s southern fleet that oversees operations in the sensitive South China Sea. The report said Feige also contacted 12 other people in Guangdong, as well as 40 other people in the rest of China, but didn’t specify whether those people had provided information.

Interest in the aims of China’s booming military spending has grown in recent years, particularly among officials in the U.S., the region’s primary military power. Taiwan, which China has threatened to use force against to bring it under its control, and Japan are also close observers of China’s defense outlays.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she had no information about the report. Such cases are usually handled in secret with little information released about them to the public.

While China’s military still lags far behind the U.S. in both funding and technology, its spending boom comes as American defense budgets are being slashed, leaving some nations to question Washington’s commitment to its Asian allies, including some which have lingering disputes with China.

President Barack Obama sought to reassure allies such as Japan and the Philippines during a swing through the region last week. Washington is attempting to maintain those relationships while also sustaining cordial ties with China, a key economic partner and rising regional power.

China’s official defense spending this year grew 12.2 percent to $132 billion, continuing more than two decades of nearly unbroken double-digit percentage increases.

That has given China the second largest defense budget after the U.S. and has afforded it with the means to alter the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific. Outside observers put China’s actual defense spending significantly higher, although estimates vary widely.