A few thousand Muscovites braved police and subzero temperatures to mark the first anniversary of Russia's anti-Putin movement at an unsanctioned protest in central Moscow.
While turnout was significantly lower than last winter's rallies, which at one point attracted more than 100,000 people, those that came faced more serious consequences, including jail and fines of more than $9,500 -- nearly the average monthly Russian salary.
Hundreds of riot police cordoned off protesters who gathered next to the headquarters of the Russia's FSB security service and the former home of the KGB during the Soviet Union.
Alexei Navalny, the popular anti-corruption blogger, and Sergei Udaltsov, a leftist activist, were detained by police immediately upon arriving, as were Ksenia Sobchak, the socialite turned opposition leader, and her boyfriend the activist Ilya Yashin.
All four were taken to a police station in the south of Moscow but released within hours.
Police initially allowed the crowd gather peacefully, but after an hour began closing in on specific protesters who they arrested in often brutal scenes. An estimated 40 people were detained.
The rally was the first major protest to not receive approval from Moscow authorities, a sign of hardening relations between the city government and opposition leaders who refused to hold the rally at alternative locations suggested by the state.
The demonstration is unlikely to breathe new life into the opposition, which has struggled to find direction since Vladimir Putin's re-election in March. Yet the turnout was arguably higher than expected given the threat of violence and fines.
In the days before the rally, the state appeared to issue a warning to the demonstrators, announcing that a criminal investigation had been opened into Mr Navalny and his brother, and raiding the home of an associate of Mr Udaltsov.
"It was very scary for me to come. I cried this morning," said Tatiana, 52, who did not want to give her last name for fear of getting in trouble with her employer.
She said once she had arrived at the rally she had become more confident, and had dared to affix to her coat lapel a pin that read "We were at Bolotnya . . . Arrest me!" -- a reference to the first major protest last year.
"They say that there we don't exist, but today we showed them that we do. Their laws created by an illegitimate regime an illegitimate president are not an order for us. We are in charge here . . . We will come out on to the streets again," she said.
With no speeches or performances, the protest lacked the euphoria that coloured the demonstrations of a year ago. But those present insisted that were optimistic that change and reform would come, no matter how gradual.
"Over the past year, nothing particularly changed in politics. However, I think society has started thinking a bit about what needs to be done," said Ivan Kosnisky, a designer.
"We need to change from within. I don't know if there is a universal recipe. But we need to stop being indifferent and start thinking of things that are located outside our own apartments."
He added: "I see the faces here I usually see at the Moscow Conservatory or the Tretyakovsky art gallery. It's simply pleasant for me to chat here with these people who are clearly of the same mind."
Monday, 17 December 2012
Protest leaders arrested at Moscow rally
A few thousand Muscovites braved police and subzero temperatures to mark the first anniversary of Russia's anti-Putin movement at an unsanctioned protest in central Moscow.
While turnout was significantly lower than last winter's rallies, which at one point attracted more than 100,000 people, those that came faced more serious consequences, including jail and fines of more than $9,500 -- nearly the average monthly Russian salary.
Hundreds of riot police cordoned off protesters who gathered next to the headquarters of the Russia's FSB security service and the former home of the KGB during the Soviet Union.
Alexei Navalny, the popular anti-corruption blogger, and Sergei Udaltsov, a leftist activist, were detained by police immediately upon arriving, as were Ksenia Sobchak, the socialite turned opposition leader, and her boyfriend the activist Ilya Yashin.
All four were taken to a police station in the south of Moscow but released within hours.
Police initially allowed the crowd gather peacefully, but after an hour began closing in on specific protesters who they arrested in often brutal scenes. An estimated 40 people were detained.
The rally was the first major protest to not receive approval from Moscow authorities, a sign of hardening relations between the city government and opposition leaders who refused to hold the rally at alternative locations suggested by the state.
The demonstration is unlikely to breathe new life into the opposition, which has struggled to find direction since Vladimir Putin's re-election in March. Yet the turnout was arguably higher than expected given the threat of violence and fines.
In the days before the rally, the state appeared to issue a warning to the demonstrators, announcing that a criminal investigation had been opened into Mr Navalny and his brother, and raiding the home of an associate of Mr Udaltsov.
"It was very scary for me to come. I cried this morning," said Tatiana, 52, who did not want to give her last name for fear of getting in trouble with her employer.
She said once she had arrived at the rally she had become more confident, and had dared to affix to her coat lapel a pin that read "We were at Bolotnya . . . Arrest me!" -- a reference to the first major protest last year.
"They say that there we don't exist, but today we showed them that we do. Their laws created by an illegitimate regime an illegitimate president are not an order for us. We are in charge here . . . We will come out on to the streets again," she said.
With no speeches or performances, the protest lacked the euphoria that coloured the demonstrations of a year ago. But those present insisted that were optimistic that change and reform would come, no matter how gradual.
"Over the past year, nothing particularly changed in politics. However, I think society has started thinking a bit about what needs to be done," said Ivan Kosnisky, a designer.
"We need to change from within. I don't know if there is a universal recipe. But we need to stop being indifferent and start thinking of things that are located outside our own apartments."
He added: "I see the faces here I usually see at the Moscow Conservatory or the Tretyakovsky art gallery. It's simply pleasant for me to chat here with these people who are clearly of the same mind."
In the red corner -- Radamel Falcao -- one of the most coveted strikers in world football and one of the most lethal finishers around.
Only last week, Falcao hit five in his side's demolition of Deportivo to add to his already burgeoning reputation.
In the blue corner -- Lionel Messi -- perhaps the greatest to have ever played the game. The man with 88 goals to his name in 2012.
The magical and mesmerizing feet of Messi going up against the pace and predatory instincts of Falcao. It had all the ingredients of a classic.
Between them they have run La Liga and European defenses ragged, scoring goals at will and leaving defenders trailing in their wake.
Going into the clash, Messi had plundered 23 league goals to Falcao's 16. It was time for the two to go head-to-head.
For Barcelona, victory over Atletico would place it nine points clear of its closest title rival and surely allow the Catalan club to wrestle the title away from defending champion Real Madrid.
A win for Atletico would finally confirm that Diego Simeone's men could be taken seriously as a championship challenger.
Atletico and Falcao -- the pretenders to Barcelona and Messi's crown.
And pretenders they will remain.
In the end, the chasm could scarcely have been greater as Simeone's men were put in their place without any sign of mercy from Tito Vilanova's side.
Barca has now won 15 of its opening 16 league games, taking an astonishing 46 points from a possible 48.
With Real Madrid only managing to draw with Espanyol earlier Sunday, Barca moved 13 points clear of its great rival.
It was Messi who stole the show once again as the little magician emerged out of the shadows to crush Atletico.
Two second-half strikes took his total to 90 for the calendar year and 25 league goals for the season as Barca came from behind to win 4-1.
And yet for the opening 30 minutes it appeared that the Messi's evening might have not been so enjoyable.
Instead it was Falcao who took center stage, bullying Barcelona's defenders at every opportunity.
It was the Colombia star who had the first opportunity of the contest, heading against the post after just nine minutes as Atletico signaled its intentions.
Falcao then went close again after firing narrowly wide when well placed, while Messi seemed to vanish as Atletico took control of the contest.
Barcelona was finally undone just after the half-hour mark when Falcao produced an exquisite finish to silence the majorityof those packed inside the Camp Nou.
After taking the ball in his stride, Falcao burst past Barcelona's central defenders before lifting the ball over the stranded Victor Valdes to net his 17th league goal of the season.
It was no less than Atletico deserved, but that strike only served to awaken Barca from its slumber.
No less than five minutes had elapsed before Barca drew level in spectacular style thanks to Adriano's stunning curling effort.
The right-back turned onto his left-foot, before unleashing a wonderful rasping effort into the top corner to bring his side level.
And with just seconds of the first half remaining, Busquets lashed home from close-range after Atletico had failed to clear.
From dominating the game, Atletico had been rumbled in the blink of an eye.
Worse was to follow as Messi began to find time and space as Atletico started to lose its way.
Just 12 minutes of the second half had passed before the Argentine finally grabbed his trademark goal, firing home his 89th of the year with a neat curling effort.
He reached 90 late on, taking advantage of a horrific defensive mistake to slot home his 25th league goal of the season.
Incredibly, Messi has scored 58 out of Barcelona's 116 league goals in 2012.
Meanwhile, the pressure continues to build on Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho after he all but conceded defeat in the race for the title.
Real fell further off the pace after being held to a 2-2 draw at home by lowly Espanyol and are 13 points off the lead.
Espanyol had taken a shock lead through Sergio Garcia after 31 minutes before strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Fabio Coentrao put the home side in control.
But with just two minutes remaining, Juan Albin popped up to steal a precious point for relegation-threatened Espanyol and leave Real reeling.
"The league is now impossible," Mourinho told reporters.
"It is the first time that I have been in a situation like this where my team are a long way off their objectives.
"But I don't want to make a drama out of it, I will treat it as another stage of my life."
Elsewhere in La Liga, Valencia was beaten 1-0 at home by Rayo Vallecano, while Levante claimed a 1-0 victory at Real Zaragoza.
Thursday, 13 December 2012
HOW TO IMPROVE SELF CONTROL
- Global processing. This means trying to focus on the wood rather than the trees: seeing the big picture and our specific actions as just one part of a major plan or purpose. For example, someone trying to eat healthily should focus on the ultimate goal and how each individual decision about what to eat contributes (or detracts) from that goal.
- Abstract reasoning. This means trying to avoid considering the specific details of the situation at hand in favour of thinking about how actions fit into an overall framework - being philosophical. Someone trying to add more self-control to their exercise regime might try to think less about the details of the exercise, and instead focus on an abstract vision of the ideal physical self, or how exercise provides a time to re-connect mind and body.
- High-level categorisation. This means thinking about high-level concepts rather than specific instances. Any long-term project, whether in business, academia or elsewhere can easily get bogged down by focusing too much on the minutiae of everyday processes and forgetting the ultimate goal. Categorising tasks or project stages conceptually may help an individual or group maintain their focus and achieve greater self-discipline.
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
THE CONSEQUENCES OF BEHAVIOR
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Syrian air force general 'killed by rebels'
Abdullah Mahmoud al-Khalidi was shot dead late on Monday in the capital's Rukn al-Din district, it said.
The attack appears to be the latest in a string of rebel attacks on high-level figures from President Bashar al-Assad's administration.
In July, a bomb killed the country's defence minister and Mr Assad's brother-in-law, Assef Shawkat.
"As part of their campaign to target national personalities and scientists, armed terrorist groups assassinated Air Force General Abdullah Mahmud al-Khalidi in the Damascus district of Rukn al-Din," the broadcaster said.
It added that he was one of Syria's foremost experts in aviation. He was also a member of the Syrian Air Force command, Agence France Presse reports.
The Free Syrian Army claimed that it was behind the attack, saying it had also killed an air force intelligence official in the same operation, AFP reports.
Air strikes
News of the attack came as violence continued in the capital and beyond.
Air strikes hit targets in Damascus and the wider province as well as the north-western province of Idlib and the central province of Homs, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The group said that jets had carried out at least six air raids on Damascus suburbs, including Rankous and Harasta, and that there were intense clashes in those areas as troops attempted to wrestle control from the rebels.
"Members of the Free Syrian Army are shooting at the planes without succeeding in shooting them down," Mohammed Saeed, an activist based in the Damascus suburb of Douma, told the Associated Press.
Activists also reported that the northern rebel-held town of Maarat al-Numan, on the route between Damascus and Aleppo, had also come under fire.
A government official said a car bomb had killed 10 people on the outskirts of Damascus, AP reports.
An opposition activist group, the local Co-ordination Committees in Syria, said that a total of 61 people had died in Syria on Tuesday, among them four women and three children.
It said that a total of 29 had been reported killed in Idlib province, most of whom died after the shelling of Maarat al-Numan.
A further 11 people died in Damascus and its suburbs, eight in Aleppo, six in Homs, six in Deraa and one person in Hama.
Nelson Mandela has lung infection
South Africa's first black President Nelson Mandela is being treated for a lung infection, the president's office has said.
This is the first time officials have revealed why Mr Mandela, 94, was rushed to a military hospital in the capital, Pretoria, on Saturday. Tests showed a "recurrence of a previous lung infection", presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said.
Mr Mandela is responding to his treatment, Mr Maharaj added.
News of the hospital stay has prompted much concern in South Africa.
Continue reading the main story
There are different names for different infections, depending on the cause and where in the airways they occur.
Pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria (called Streptococcus pneumoniae) and affects the tiny air sacs at the end of the breathing tubes in your lungs.
Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways, usually caused by common cold or flu viruses.
Elderly people tend to be more prone to lung infections, as do people with existing lung conditions or a weakened immune system.
Mr Mandela has been treated in the past for the early stages of TB - an infectious disease that can damage the lungs.
Most lung infections can be treated with drugs, rest and fluids, but at the age of 94, Mr Mandela is frail and his doctors will want to keep a close eye on how his condition progresses.
Pneumonia can lead to serious complications, including respiratory failure, which can be fatal.
Analysis
Lung infections can be caused by bacteria and viruses. They can be spread by coughs and sneezes and contact with infected surfaces like taps and door handles.There are different names for different infections, depending on the cause and where in the airways they occur.
Pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria (called Streptococcus pneumoniae) and affects the tiny air sacs at the end of the breathing tubes in your lungs.
Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways, usually caused by common cold or flu viruses.
Elderly people tend to be more prone to lung infections, as do people with existing lung conditions or a weakened immune system.
Mr Mandela has been treated in the past for the early stages of TB - an infectious disease that can damage the lungs.
Most lung infections can be treated with drugs, rest and fluids, but at the age of 94, Mr Mandela is frail and his doctors will want to keep a close eye on how his condition progresses.
Pneumonia can lead to serious complications, including respiratory failure, which can be fatal.
The former president is regarded by most South Africans as the father of the nation, having inspired them to fight for democracy.
He led the struggle against white-minority rule before being elected the first black president in democratic elections in 1994.Despite being imprisoned for 27 years by the apartheid government, after his release he forgave his former enemies and urged South Africans of all races to work together and seek reconciliation.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
The BBC's Andrew Harding in Johannesburg says news that the frail Mr Mandela has another lung infection is likely to generate considerable anxiety.
The officials who have visited Mr Mandela in hospital since Saturday have all said he is doing well.
He was flown to hospital on Saturday from his home in Qunu village in Eastern Cape province by the military, which is responsible for his healthcare.
Local media reported that the decision to move him was taken so quickly that some family members and his own foundation were initially unaware of it.
But Mr Maharaj has repeatedly said that Mr Mandela is doing well in hospital and there is no cause for alarm.
Mr Mandela was last admitted to hospital in February when he was treated for abdominal pain.
In January 2011, he was treated for a serious chest infection.
While in prison in the 1980s, Mr Mandela was also diagnosed with tuberculosis.
Mr Mandela retired from public life in 2004 and has been rarely seen in public since.
Uganda Cranes boss sodomising players
The Ugandan daily tabloid Red Pepper today published photos allegedly depicting a local soccer star have sex with a young man they characterize as a "boy." Gay Star News has the story : A photo depicting Chris Mubiru having anal sex with a young man covered the entire front page of the paper entitled: " SMOKED OUT! Uganda Cranes boss nabbed sodomising players – Shocking pictures inside ." The paper printed five striking photos of the head of Cranes football team allegedly in the process of "
Gay Star News has more:
A photo depicting Chris Mubiru having anal sex with a young man covered the entire front page of the paper entitled: ‘SMOKED OUT! Uganda Cranes boss nabbed sodomising players – Shocking pictures inside’.
The paper printed five striking photos of the head of Cranes football team allegedly in the process of ‘sodomising’ a young team player.
The photos detailed the alleged sexual acts with captions designed to outrage the country’s conservative population: ‘MASTER AT WORK: Mubiru nails the boys butt’, ‘shafting’ and ‘hurting the boy’, to finally ‘END GAME: The boy struggles to stand up after the bum shattering session.’
The Uganda Cranes organization has so far remained silent on the scandal.
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