Thursday, December 31, 2015

UK's Financial Conduct Authority drop inquiry into culture of banking

The Financial Conduct Authority, one of Britain's banking sector regulators, indicated it has decided to drop an inquiry into banking culture, including practices and payment of banking staff. The inquiry was intended to review "whether culture change programmes in retail and wholesale banks are driving the right behaviour, in particular focusing on remuneration, appraisal and promotion decisions of middle management, as well as how concerns are reported and acted on".

A spokesman for the Financial Conduct Authority stated: "A focus on the culture in financial services firms remains a priority for the FCA[...] There is currently extensive ongoing work in this area within firms and externally. We have decided that the best way to support these efforts is to engage individually with firms to encourage their delivery of cultural change as well as supporting the other initiatives outside the FCA."

The Shadow Chancellor, Labour's John McDonnell, said shutting down the inquiry would be a "dangerous and costly mistake" and said: "This will be a huge blow to customers and taxpayers who are all still paying the price for the failed culture in the banking sector that's been widely attributed to be among the main causes of the crash and the scandals over Libor and price-fixing".

Members of the Treasury Select Committee have also been critical of the cancellation of the review. On Twitter, Labour MP John Mann stated the "FCA surrender to big banks today is entirely from pressure from Treasury and Osborne". Conservative MP Mark Garnier, told the BBC: "There has always been this great argument that perhaps the Treasury is having more influence over the regulator than perhaps it ought to and certainly, if I was looking for a Machiavellian plot behind what's happened here and the tone of the regulator, then I suppose I would start looking at the Treasury."

Richard Lloyd from the consumer group Which? expressed disappointment at the cancellation of the report: "It's disappointing that the regulator has decided against publishing this report on the culture of banking. Cultural change doesn't happen overnight, so despite signs of improvement, the FCA must not take their eye off the ball and should continue to clean up the industry"

The FCA has had no leader since Martin Wheatley resigned in July following an expression of no confidence by George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.


Monday, December 28, 2015

Boko Haram attack in Nigerian city kills at least fifteen

According to witness reports, Boko Haram gunmen and suicide bombers killed at least fifteen people in an attack in the city of Maiduguri, Nigeria yesterday, before the military drove them off.

Locals reported hearing gunfire as evening prayers ended at local mosques. The military pushed back the militants, who were on trucks and firing at civilians with guns and grenade launchers, with heavy weapons fire. Amidst the fighting, suicide bombings were carried out.

A local resident Sheshu Mala said that during the attack, "all the residents in the area fled their homes to other parts of the city." As people fled, two female suicide bombers reportedly detonated themselves in groups of people.

Government sources say ten other suicide bombers have been killed.

The militant group Boko Haram started in the city of Maidugari, where the attacks took place; they lost the territory three years ago as the military retook the city.

The news came after another Boko Haram attack on the village of Kimba killed at least fourteen people on Friday.


Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Suicide bombing in Afghanistan kills six US NATO members

On Monday, a suicide bomber blew himself up on a motorcycle in Bagram District, Afghanistan. The bombing killed six US NATO service members and injured several others.

According to NATO and Afghan officials, the bombing occurred at 1:30pm local time in a village near Bagram Airfield. Bagram Airfield is located about 40 km (25 mi) north of Kabul, the Afghan capital.

The bombing killed six US NATO soldiers. The US Department of Defense delayed officially releasing their names, following policy, but all the victims have been identified.

One of them is Joseph Lemm, aged 45. Lemm served fifteen years as an officer of the New York City Police Department and has a wife and two children.

Another is Adrianna Vorderbruggen, an openly lesbian US Air Force major. Vorderbruggen advocated repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell and is now married to her same-sex partner. The couple has a son.

The others are Peter Taub from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Michael Anthony Cinco from Rio Grande Valley, Texas, age 28; Chester McBride Jr., Statesboro, Georgia; and Louis Bonacasa, Coram, New York.

The bombing also injured others, including two US military personnel and, according to an Afghan official, three local police officers.

Via email and Twitter, the Taliban, whose regime the US overthrew after invading the country in 2001, claimed responsibility to the bombing.

Currently, about 10,000 US, and less than half as many NATO, military personnel remain in Afghanistan.


Monday, December 21, 2015

Slovenians reject referendum to recognize same-sex marriage

On Sunday, Slovenians voted on a referendum to legalize same-sex marriage. The referendum failed to pass, with opposing majority.

Slovenia, whose population largely practice Roman Catholicism, neither recognizes marriage between nor allows full child adoption by two persons of the same sex. Even as a member of the European Union, its position has not changed.

The issue has been still debated in the country. In 2012, a majority of participating voters opposed a referendum to legalize same-sex marriage.

The government earlier this year passed a law to legally recognize same-sex marriage. However, the law had not been enforced; a civil group translated as For Children or Children Are at Stake demanded a referendum to the top court. The group's petition for a referendum collected at least 40,000 signatures.

In preliminary results from this year's elections, around 36.18% out of more than 1.7 million registered voters voted on the referendum. 63.5% voted to oppose the referendum, while 36.5% voted in favor.

Meanwhile, Slovenia allows civil union registration by same-sex couples since 2006. Also it allows them to adopt children of either partner's previous marriage(s). Thirteen European Countries, such as France and Spain, and five non-European countries legally recognize same-sex marriages.


Ancelotti to replace Guardiola as Bayern Munich manager

Munich-based football club Bayern Munich yesterday announced their current manager Pep Guardiola would remain only to this season's end. Former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti would replace the Spaniard next season.

File photo of Pep Guardiola
Image: Thomas Rodenbücher.

Bayern under Guardiola won back-to-back Bundesliga titles and one German Cup since summer of 2013. Ancelotti, winner of three UEFA Champions Leagues — two for A.C. Milan, one for Real Madrid — would sign for three years with the German Champions. Besides the Champions Leagues, he also won the Premier League with Chelsea F.C.

Cquote1.svg It's an honour for me to be part of this great club next season, FC Bayern Munich. Cquote2.svg

—Carlo Ancelotti

File photo of Carlo Ancelotti
Image: Mohan.

44-year-old Guardiola previously coached the current FIFA Club World Cup champions FC Barcelona, and won the Champions League with the Catalonia club twice.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the club's Chief Executive, praised Guardiola's contributions to Bayern after confirming the news. 56-year-old Ancelotti said "It's an honour for me to be part of this great club next season, FC Bayern Munich. When I knew of the club's interest I didn't want to consider any other offer. I honestly wish FC Bayern Munich and my friend Pep Guardiola the best for the current season." He also thanked the Club via tweet yesterday evening, "Thanks ! @FCBayernEN #MiaSanMia".

Bayern player Thomas Müller said "We'll see what happens. Regardless of who is coach, the squad just wants to keep winning". Bayern is now scheduled to face Italian Juventus F.C. in the 2015󈝼 UEFA Champions League Last 16.


Sunday, December 20, 2015

Chennaiyin FC score late goal, beat Goa 3-2 to win Indian Super League 2015

Today, Chennai-based football club Chennaiyin FC defeated FC Goa 3𔃀 at Fatorda Stadium in Margao in the Indian Super League final.

The match saw five yellow cards, two for the home side. Chennai's Mehrajuddin Wadoo was the first one to be booked in the 18th minute. In the 33rd minute, Goa's Moura's shot was deflected by Wadoo. With a single booking, the first half ended 0𔂾.

In the second half, in the 53rd minute, Pronay Halder committed a foul on Chennai's Stiven Mendoza in the penalty area, and the visitors were awarded a penalty kick. Stepping forward for the kick, Bruno Pelissari's kick was saved by Laxmikant Kattimani but the ball bounced back, and Pelissari made no mistake, scoring. Chennai got a 1𔂾 lead.

Thoi Singh was booked in the 57th minute. Halder, in the 58th minute, assisted Thongkhosiem Haokip and the Indian footballer scored an equaliser for the home side. Grégory Arnolin received a yellow card in the 60th minute for protesting the referee's decision. Chennai was awarded another penalty kick. Stiven Mendoza stood up for the penalty, but missed.

Table-turning events took place in the dying moments of the game. Jofre scored a goal in the 87th minute. A minute later, he was yellow-carded; but, Goa had a 2𔂿 lead. Goa's goalie Laxmikant Kattimani scored an own goal for a 2𔃀 equaliser and in the additional time, Mendoza netted a goal assisted by Jayesh Rane. Next minute, Mendoza was yellow-carded, but the final whistle blew a few moments later, and Chennaiyin FC won the second edition of the Indian Super League in the 3𔃀 goal tally.

Barça beat River Plate 3-0 to win third FIFA Club World Cup

Today, Catalonia-based football club FC Barcelona defeated Argentine club River Plate FC 3𔂾 at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama in the FIFA Club World Cup final hosted in Japan.

FIFA Club World Cup is a tournament in which football clubs winning in the respective continental confederation championships participate. Barcelona won the UEFA Champions League, and River Plate won the 2015 Copa Libertadores. Barcelona's Neymar, recovered from groin injury, was included in the squad.

File photo of Suárez, who scored five goals in the tournament.
Image: Lluís.

Barça had a greater ball possession. The match saw six yellow cards, two for River Plate players. More than 30 fouls were committed in the match. Lionel Messi scored the first goal of the match after breaking the opponents' defense in the 36th minute, assisted by Neymar. A sliding tackle by Ivan Rakitić in the 43th minute got him a yellow card. Before him, three other players were already booked by the match official. The first half ended in 1𔂾 for the Europeans.

In the opening minutes of the second half, Uruguayan Luis Suárez scored the second goal of the match, assisted by Sergio Busquets in the 49th minute. In the 68th minute, he scored the third of the night by a header, assisted by Neymar.

Interestingly, River Plate faced six South Americans in the match.

This was Barcelona's fifth trophy of the season, and third FIFA Club World Cup title.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Suárez scores a hat-trick, Barcelona advances to FIFA Club World Cup 2015 Final

Yesterday, Catalonia-based football club FC Barcelona defeated Chinese Guangzhou Evergrande FC 3𔂾 at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama in a FIFA Club World Cup semifinal match hosted in Japan.

FIFA Club World Cup is a tournament in which football clubs winning in the respective continental confederation championships participate. Barcelona won the UEFA Champions League, and Guangzhou won the AFC Champions League. Barcelona's Neymar, suffering from groin injury, was not included in the squad.

File photo of Suárez, who scored the hat-trick
Image: Lluís.
Cquote1.svg We lost 3𔂾, but it's not much different to what has happened to other big clubs. At least we didn't let in four like Real Madrid Cquote2.svg

—Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guangzhou Manager

Barça had greater ball possession. The match saw one yellow card, when Feng Xiaoting was yellow carded in the 16th minute, and at least two dozen fouls were committed in the match. The 2015 AFC Champions League winners Guangzhou prevented the European winners from scoring a goal for more than half an hour. In the 39th minute, Ivan Rakitić's shot on the target was saved by the Chinese goalkeeper, but Luis Suárez netted the goal providing Barcelona a 1𔂾 lead before half-time. The first half ended in 1𔂾.

In the second half, Suárez scored again in the 50th minute, assisted by Andrés Iniesta. A quarter of an hour later, Guangzhou player Huang Bowen fouled Munir El Haddadi in the penalty area, and Barcelona was awarded a penalty kick. Suárez, in the absence of Lionel Messi, took the penalty and completed a hat-trick.

After the match, Guangzhou coach Luiz Felipe Scolari praised the club's performance. "We lost 3𔂾, but it's not much different to what has happened to other big clubs. At least we didn't let in four like Real Madrid."

Barcelona, is now scheduled to play the final on December 20.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Chelsea sacks José Mourinho

Today, London-based football club Chelsea F.C. sacked José Mourinho from the position of the club's manager.

File photo of Mourinho
Image: Aleksandr Osipov.

Chelsea, the last years' Premier League champions, have sixteenth position in the league table and very poor performance this season, winning just four games out of sixteen in 2015-2016's season. The Portuguese Mourinho has managed the club for seven seasons, in two spells, won the Premier League thrice, FA Community Shield and FA Cup once.

Chelsea, battling relegation, won only fifteen points and are 20 points behind Leicester City. Mourinho signed a four-year contract in August. Mourinho's last game as Chelsea's manager was played against Leicester City, in which his side lost 2𔂿.

Chelsea, on the club's website released a statement, saying that José and the board agreed this performance was not good and both sides agreed to the move. The statement also said José would still be a much loved figure at Stamford Bridge, and described him as "the most successful manager in our 110-year history."

Previously, when José was sacked after winning two titles, he won the Champions League with Inter and La Liga with Real Madrid. Before his first signing for Chelsea, he won the Champions League with FC Porto.


Wednesday, December 16, 2015

UEFA Champions League 2015-2016: Draw for Last 16 held at Nyon

On Monday, the draw for the Last 16 for the 2015󈝼 UEFA Champions League took place in Nyon, Switzerland at 12:00 local time. The draw took place in two pots, one consisting of the respective group winners, and the second of the runners-up. Winners of the Last 16 play in the quarter-finals.

UEFA Champions League is the competitive league of Europe in which football clubs topping their respective leagues play for the trophy. 32 clubs across the continent played in eight groups, and the winner and runner-up of each group qualified for the Last 16 knockout round.

Belgian team K.A.A. Gent is to face German VfL Wolfsburg.

Real Madrid, leading their group, and defeating Sweden-based club Malmö FF 8𔂾, are to face AS Roma.

Pots

Monday, December 14, 2015

UEFA Euro 16 draw takes place in Paris

On Saturday evening, UEFA Euro 2016 draw took place at the Palais des Congrès in Paris; UEFA Euro 2016 is scheduled to be hosted in France. 24 nations were grouped in six groups, with the host nation getting Group A. The quadrennial football tournament of Europe is scheduled to start in June 2016, the matches to be played in ten French cities.

England had the first draw, and went to Group B. Interestingly, Wales also drew into Group B. World Cup winners Germany got Group C. Polish national captain Robert Lewandowski, who recently scored a brace against Croatian Dinamo Zagreb for Bayern Munich, would be facing his Bayern Munich teammate Thomas Müller in a Group C match.

Two-time defending Champions Spain got the D. Netherlands did not qualify for the first time since 1984 after a shocking exit in the qualifying match.

In full, groups drew as follows:

Group A, France, Romania, Albania, Switzerland.
Group B, England, Russia, Wales, Slovakia.
Group C, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Northern Ireland.
Group D, Spain, Czech Republic, Turkey, Croatia.

The opening match of the tournament is scheduled to be France versus Romania.


Sunday, December 13, 2015

Wikinews interviews Steve Burke, U.S. Democratic Party presidential candidate

Macomb, New York Councilman Steve Burke took some time to speak with Wikinews about his campaign for the U.S. Democratic Party's 2016 presidential nomination.

Burke, an insurance adjuster and farmer, was elected councilman in Brookhaven, New York in 1979. He left the town after being accused and found not guilty of bribery in the 1980s. Since 1987 he has served as Macomb councilman off-and-on and currently holds the post. From 1993 to 1996 and 1999 to 2002 he worked as chairman of the Democratic Party of St. Lawrence County, New York. Among his many political campaigns, Burke unsuccessfully sought the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in 1992 and recently attempted to run for U.S. Congress in 2014 but too many of his ballot petition signatures were found invalid. Burke filed with the Federal Election Commission to run for president in the 2016 election on September 18, 2015 and has qualified for the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire Primary.

With Wikinews reporter William S. Saturn‎, Burke discusses his political background, his 2016 presidential campaign, and his policy proposals.

Interview[edit]

  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWilliam S. SaturnWikinews waves Right.png What are some of your achievements as councilman in Brookhaven, New York?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSteve BurkeWikinews waves Right.png The only way to answer your question is by semi story okay? I was asked once to take over the fight to save the county infirmary from closure. It housed ill and hopeless cases. I felt it was the county's obligation to keep it open. Just as I believe we have an obligation to the mentally ill who need a hospital setting instead of the street or jail. So I took on the county and organized the seniors, relatives of the patients and went to work until the county elected officials cried uncle and kept it open. In fact they built a brand new infirmary and I believe it is still open. I last stopped there in the 1990s to visit a man I became friends with at the infirmary. He was bed ridden after he was stabbed with a knife in the back and it severed his spine. The county infirmary is owned by Suffolk County but in the town of Brookhaven. When I was first elected to the Brookhaven council, I felt we could now start to help the people. What a shock I got and lessons no political course in school can teach. There [were] some minor patronage jobs available. One person who was a disabled vet wanted some part time work. I spoke with my board members and they agreed to give him a bingo inspector job. About four evenings a month minor pay. On our very first meeting I looked at the agenda and his name was not there. I asked why and they told me they decided to give it to a bartender where they ate and drank. Because he made good drinks. That did not fly with me. I called them all into a room and spoke with them and the party leader by phone. The result was that day the disabled vet got the position and held it until he passed on. So back stabbing, back biting, always looking to get even [are] the lessons I learned the hard way from my fellow elected officials. But it taught me how to get things done. Former New Hampshire U.S. Senator [Warren] Rudman said when he quit the Senate, he could not get over the hatred and back stabbing in Washington. So I guess when you deal with elected egos it is the same all over. The town had a few hundred vehicles they owned and the employees drove. Remember Brookhaven is the largest town in New York. I was assigned the public safety department. I found the town cars were unaccounted for. No one knew where they were or who had them. Some I found in back yards of employees with parts missing, invoices of repairs not done on town cars but on personal cars and charged to the town. I stopped all of that, put the repairs out to bid. Made a depot to pick up and drop off daily a car. Changed the color and bought smaller vehicles. I also started a repair yard with town mechanics. When the bid expired. I saved the local police/code enforcement department that they wanted to get rid of. They took care of our parks and buildings, etc. I think I put in a resolution to push for the five cent return bottles, cans, etc., or maybe I just brought it up. I am not sure. That was before the state did it. The town dog pound was a problem. I heard they were selling dogs and cats out the back door to labs and for guard dog companies. I got the town board to go in with me one evening and seize the records. We went through them and turned them over to the district attorney. It was not followed up. But there [were] no more rumors of dogs or cats going out the back door. I am sure there was more but that was 30 years ago. You will have to cut it down. One builds up enemies if you do anything as an elected official. Those that last a long time are generally do nothings, no waves.
  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWSSWikinews waves Right.png What are some of your achievements as councilman in Macomb, New York?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSBWikinews waves Right.png I am the only Democrat on the five person board. So the entire board has to take credit of keeping tax increases below 2% a year without going into our fund balance. In fact our fund balance is the best of the other 31 towns and the county of St. Lawrence. We have lowered the cost of health care along with our tax base. Upgraded equipment, put money aside for replacement equipment, made our buildings energy efficient. Then we started at the beginning of each meeting the Pledge of Allegiance and a short prayer to the Almighty. Best of all we have no debt.
St. Lawrence County highlighted in red.
Image: David Benbennick.
  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWSSWikinews waves Right.png What are some of your achievements as chairman of the Democratic Party of St. Lawrence County?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSBWikinews waves Right.png This was a strong Republican county when I first became chair. I was able to turn the county around to Democrat, but now it has fallen back to Republican. I started the first resource guide that allowed us to raise funds, obtained a house for the first time ever headquarters. Hillary Clinton won her first Senate seat with just 10 counties out of 62 in New York. We were one of those 10 counties when I was chair. I served as chair and was called back after several years to be chair again. I left the party in both a happy, strong and good financial condition.
  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWSSWikinews waves Right.png According to WWNY-TV, you previously ran for president in 1992. What was the nature of that run and what did you learn from it?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSBWikinews waves Right.png I am impressed that you did some investigative work. It is rare today. Good for you. You should go far in this field. The country was just starting to feel the impact of a slowdown. I wanted to speak out as to what I saw and speak to the issues of the day. I learned that it was a closed shop then and has gotten worse both in ability to be recognized and the economic situation. NAFTA and all free trade policies are detrimental to our economical health, jobs, income and general well being of the country. When NAFTA was first proposed I was chair and spoke out against it and was given heat for it. But oh well I swim upstream anyway.
  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWSSWikinews waves Right.png Did you run in any presidential primaries in 1992?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSBWikinews waves Right.png I ran in six states total and did the best [in] Louisiana.
  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWSSWikinews waves Right.png Why are you [a] Democrat? What do you like about the party and have you ever considered joining a non-establishment party?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSBWikinews waves Right.png No I will not join any other party. I like the freedom of being a Democrat. This freedom is not found in other parties.
  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWSSWikinews waves Right.png So far you have filed to run in the New Hampshire primary. Do you plan on filing for any other primaries?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSBWikinews waves Right.png Yes we are working in other states to be known and have signed up for Louisiana. Money is always a problem in a grassroots campaign.
  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWSSWikinews waves Right.png What do you hope to accomplish with this campaign?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSBWikinews waves Right.png That a voice be heard that is different than what is there now. The same old, same old get you the same old with no chance of bringing the county back home to where we have full employment, everyone getting along, pulling together regardless of color, race or religion. We are Americans all, living on a small rock just hanging out in space.
  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWSSWikinews waves Right.png What are your thoughts on the job Barack Obama has done as president? Specifically, what would you have done differently?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSBWikinews waves Right.png I will not slam an other Democrat who is doing what he feels is correct. I would do things differently for sure.
A. I believe in making friends not enemies.
B. No sanctions, I consider them an act of war.
C. Trade with every[one] on the planet. It is good for [us] and the products we have to sell — jobs.
D. Healthcare needs to be tweaked; move it in line with the health plan the congress has and a single payer.
  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWSSWikinews waves Right.png In your opinion, what are the most important issues facing America and how will you deal with these as president?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSBWikinews waves Right.png Make friends. You see how China is doing it by helping all around the world along with Russia. War and the blood of our young and our treasury is causing us to be bled to third world status. Radical Islam — work with a coalition of nations with the United Nations and root out that nest of vipers once and for all. Rebuild those countries devastated by war as was done after World War II.
Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers his I Have a Dream speech.
Image: National Archives and Records Administration.
  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWSSWikinews waves Right.png If elected, what would constitute a successful presidency for you?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSBWikinews waves Right.png Make friends around the world, fair trade, full employment here at home. New plants opening up. I have a plan for that. Where we finally answer Reverend Martin Luther [King, Jr.]'s I Have a Dream.
  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWSSWikinews waves Right.png What exactly is the plan?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSBWikinews waves Right.png We have a precedent set with the General Motors bailout. All the closed factory and manufacturing buildings around the country need to be used. Let's find the people with skills to open them up and get them running. The government will have a startup fund to lend, so we can be self sufficient again. By closing some of our military bases around the world that money can be used in this country and the military brought home to help secure our borders. Remember we are bleeding money and must stop it or we are done. One of the best things I feel for all our young is to have a military draft for a two year period of their lives. It teaches them order and how to get along and live with people of all colors and religions. Add a CCC type of organization to that and give them a choice. Then add a GI type of benefits to that. As a correction officer I saw the hopelessness of prisoners who could not read or write but were smart. If the government uses its money and talent not just on early intervention but in all grades to help these kids who have trouble in school reading and writing etc. Americans right now feel a sense of no one cares and we are going nowhere. Lack of jobs, money, housing. If you are married William then you know money in marriage is the big problem not sex. We have people with ideas in this country. Let's use them to make our country self sufficient again. Let's show the country through leadership that we are moving forward together towards a goal. No more making scapegoats out of each other. Those in office have a hunger for more and more money because they have a need???? Well so do those working or having a business. Let's not tax them to death. We all want to have the good life. Let's work towards that goal. I see the problems and know there are answers by setting goals, direction and leadership. Sorry if I got off on a rant. But you asked.
  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWSSWikinews waves Right.png Which individuals would you like to see in a Burke administration?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSBWikinews waves Right.png People who have a love of country, its people and the constitution. They will be movers and shakers in their field to do the right things for our country.
As a side note to you William. I was on 60 Minutes for some legislation I sponsored against Teflon coated bullets that can pass through armored police vests. The Congress then followed with their legislation later on. I believe they used my idea after the NRA and I were on 60 Minutes. I believe it was my efforts that had North Korea free the American prisoners this year. I have also been working to do the same in Iran [...]
  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWSSWikinews waves Right.png What exactly did you do to help free American prisoners in North Korea?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSBWikinews waves Right.png WWNY-TV first did a story on my writing to the Supreme Leader Kim Jung Un. When that did not work, I followed up with someone I know who was the military attache for the former USSR. I asked him to speak to Putin for me. He traveled to Moscow and within two weeks all the prisoners were released. That's what I mean by making friends. I have tried that avenue with Iran but was told no.
  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWSSWikinews waves Right.png Last election cycle in December 2011 there was a lesser-known candidates forum at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire. Have you received any invitation to such an event?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSBWikinews waves Right.png No invitations have been received. It is different than 1992. Oh one item I forgot to mention to you. When the [National Defense] NDAA of 2012 was before Congress. I wrote a resolution against section 1021 and 1022 of the NDAA Act of 2012. The town board all voted in favor of my resolution. A copy of it was sent to the President, Supreme Court justices and the entire New York delegation to Congress. Only one congressman, Mr. [Brian Higgins] of Buffalo, had the moxie to answer and acknowledge the resolution. That legislation was a bad bill, but they passed it.
  • Wikinews waves Left.pngWSSWikinews waves Right.png Do you have a campaign website?
Wikinews waves Left.pngSBWikinews waves Right.png Yes I am finalizing it by next week. I am using Simple Nerds to do it. Great name for a company that a presidential candidate is using? [...] By the way my campaign committee has fourteen people. Two African Americans, two Hispanics, several pastors, former immigrants from other countries and me. Thank you William for the questions. I look forward to one day meeting you.