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Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Rebel groups hit with U.N. sanctions over eastern Congo

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A U.N. Security Council sanctions committee on Monday blacklisted two rebel groups that have been responsible for war crimes in conflict-ravaged eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Nations said in a statement.

The United States and Britain praised the move, with Washington suggesting further sanctions may be imposed against anyone who continues to cause trouble in eastern Congo.

One of the groups added to the blacklist is the so-called M23, a Congolese rebel faction led by Bosco Ntaganda, a warlord indicted by the International Criminal Court.

M23 initially said they took up arms over what they called Kinshasa's failure to keep a 2009 peace deal that saw them integrated into the army. They later broadened the scope of their movement, making its goal the "liberation" of all of Congo and the ouster of President Joseph Kabila.

The U.N. statement said M23, which is widely believed to be receiving support from neighboring Rwanda, has been complicit in serious crimes such as "killing and maiming, sexual violence, abduction, and forced displacement."

No Rwandans have been sanctioned in connection with M23, which diplomats have said on condition of anonymity was because the United States, in particular, opposes any such moves as counterproductive.

The other rebel organization hit with sanctions on Monday is the FDLR, or Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda. The FDLR is a Rwandan Hutu group that opposes President Paul Kagame's Tutsi-led government in Kigali and includes Hutu militiamen suspected of participating in Rwanda's 1994 genocide.

FDLR has been guilty of "targeting of women and children in armed conflict in the DRC, including killing and maiming, sexual violence, and forced displacement," the U.N. statement said.

RWANDA JOINS U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice welcomed the Congo sanctions committee's decision.

"We urge the rank and file of both the M23 and the FDLR to defect and demobilize in order to disassociate themselves from the sanctioned groups," Rice said in a statement.

She said Washington and its partners "will continue to use every tool at our disposal to maintain the pressure on those responsible for the violence in the eastern DRC ... including additional action by the Security Council."

Britain's Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds also issued a statement welcoming the move.

The committee's announcement came hours before Rwanda joins the 15-nation Security Council. Rwanda has vowed to help improve the situation in eastern Congo during its upcoming stint on the council, but says it will not tolerate continued attempts to blame it for the M23 insurgency.

Some council envoys told Reuters on condition of anonymity that it may be more difficult to reach a consensus on issues related to Congo with Rwanda on the council.

The Security Council's "Group of Experts" has accused Rwanda and Uganda of backing M23. Kigali and Kampala deny the group's allegations but council diplomats say their denials are not credible.

The council has previously sanctioned individual members of M23 and FDLR, but not the groups themselves.

In addition to the two rebel groups, the sanctions committee blacklisted two additional M23 leaders on Monday: Eric Badege and Jean-Marie Runiga Lugerero. The two men will face international travel bans and asset freezes.

The council's Group of Experts previously recommended that the sanctions committee blacklist Rwandan officials it says have been overseeing M23, including Rwandan Defense Minister James Kabarebe, who the experts say is at the top of the M23 chain of command. But the council has not acted on their recommendation.

(Editing by Eric Walsh)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/rebel-groups-hit-u-n-sanctions-over-eastern-000933908.html

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2012 The best of the big interviews | Pakistan Today | Latest news ...

Very soon, we'll have to learn to remember it isn't 2012 anymore. Meanwhile, as the curtain begins to fall on this year, we look back at some of the most interesting and insightful responses the stars gave to our questions

Your cousin Ranbir said that he was born into luxury. Can you say the same?

We weren?t brought up in luxury, as people think about the Kapoor clan. My mom (Babita) and sister (Karisma) really struggled to give me a better life. Especially my mom, because she was a single parent. Everything was very limited for us. Lolo went to college in local trains, but I escaped that because I didn?t go to college here. But I took the school bus like everyone else. We had one car and didn?t have enough money for a driver. It?s only because mom brought us up like this that we value everything we have today.

Your father, filmmaker Yash Johar, left you a legacy to take forward. Who will carry forward your name?

I may adopt. I love children and I do feel the need to take the legacy forward. I am open to it, but emotionally you have to be ready for it. Raising a child is really a huge responsibility. And I should have that time and emotional energy to give to child. How and when is a decision my mother and I will take a few years from now. My father has given me this company that I have built up, and I cannot see it dwindling into nothing.

Do you agree that because the glamour industry is full of good-looking people, temptations can be big here?.

Beautiful people exist in all industries. The IT industry, media, wherever you go, you see beauties around you. So much so that, where I stay in Tamil Nadu, my friends ask me, ?Mumbai girls are very beautiful, no?? They find every girl walking down the road beautiful. Let me tell you that one gives in to temptation, or has affairs in all fields. It?s not just the glamour industry. Yes, it exists here, but it also exists outside and I know of it.

...Does it sadden you that he (Abhishek) hasn't got to where you are?

Success and failure will happen to everybody and we cannot judge somebody's career according to that. If we didn't have failures we would be abnormal people. I think we are normal people and we face failures and successes. Life is only about how we conduct ourselves, whether we are good human beings or not. And I would be happy if he is just a good human being. When somebody tells you how well you have brought up your son and daughter, and how well-behaved they are? that is like a super successful film for me.

Do you feel that the industry is unkind to actresses after a particular time?

A filmmaker chooses an actress keeping the best interest of the film in mind. If he doesn?t cast you, it doesn?t mean there?s a personal agenda. Change is constant and if you have agreed to be part of this industry, you will have to go with the change. You cannot sit at home and crib. Instead, work hard and keep looking beautiful and be open to roles that are exciting and inspiring. Success and failure are not in my hand, but hard work and perseverance are. The biggest example of this is Amitabh Bachchan. He fought it out and reinvented himself. You have to understand the mechanics of durability and longevity and go with the flow.

What has been the wildest pass on you?

Sometimes they come asking for photographs? and when we pose for the camera, they put their arm around straight on my butt (laughs). I like this when people come upto me. I am a very accessible person.

Some people say you must have had plastic surgery to look like this.

I want to tell these people that instead of whining and criticising, why don?t you move out of your comfort zone, zip your mouth and slog it out? Then let?s talk! There will be a visible change not just in your appearance, but also in your attitude. But if you?re a lazy bum, hooked to TV, and cannot give up your food because you know you can undergo cosmetic surgery., you?re damned! It doesn?t work like that. Anything that is plastic melts in no time. Then let?s talk! There will be a visible change not just in your appearance, but also in your attitude. But if you?re a lazy bum, hooked to TV, and cannot give up your food because you know you can undergo cosmetic surgery.

How does your cricket franchise work?

My team was bogged down with the expectations of being part of a filmstar?s team?with no proper reasons. So for four years, KKR struggled. Though many other IPL teams faced problems too, we came in for a lot of flak. The lesson I learned from this is that you don?t have to look good if you are not delivering. Of course, I am a movie star, so I have to look good whether I am delivering or not. But I must say that KKR is like any other IPL team and it is trying very hard to do better and better every season.

Are you scared of ever losing the fan following you have now?

If the adulation has not affected me now, how will it affect me at all? There are people who take their onscreen image seriously. Luckily, I don?t. Rajesh Khanna is the classic case of a superstar forgotten until he passed away? I have never seen or heard of such unparalleled adulation as his. I was happy to witness a sea of humanity descend on his funeral. But I wish it had all happened when he was alive! He would have been very happy. Love and respect should be accorded in your lifetime. Honestly, I wouldn?t want such pandemonium when I am dead and gone. It?s no use then, because I won?t be able to see or feel the love.

How does a superstar's life look at 90?

I was never pleased by my stardom. I have always said that there shouldn't be a term like 'star' for an actor. It is a marketing term, coined by the marketing men. It is the work that I chose to accept that mattered to me and preoccupied me. I always lived a normal life and never got carried away into another world of another personality who sought pampering and constant attention. When you do that, you acquire a false, unapproachable personality.

Tell us, why people should go to the theatres for Son Of Sardaar?

I don?t have to tell the audiences anything to lure them. They decide whether a film will be good or bad by watching its first promo. After that, whatever promotions we show, they?re just a reminder that says there is a movie coming up. Impressions are made on the first day of the film. All the super hit films in the past made their mark with their first promos. They decide whether a film will be good or bad by watching its first promo.

...Suddenly, it felt as though Priyanka was an untouchable.

I think it?s great to be flawed. I am hugely flawed and I like it this way. That?s the fun of life. You fall, get up, make mistakes, learn from them, be human and be you.

Certain people in the industry believe you exude a kind of arrogance. How did you control the damage?

People may have found it difficult to approach me and I realised that and have worked on it. I used to be socially shy. Now I have become a social animal. I go out, meet and interact with people. I made an effort and I am really enjoying that phase now. Beyond that, I cannot change who I am. I am a Piscean, and they have a lovingly detached attitude towards life.

At 45 you still look so fit. Tell us: how important are face-lifts and plastic surgeries after a certain age?

Youth is a lifestyle; it?s not a blessing from God. If we treat our bodies as if they are not the most precious things we possess, then obviously we will show wear and tear. We?re like a good pair of jeans. If we take care of them, they?ll remain classic forever, but if we batter and abuse them, they?ll look like tattered old rags. What I?m trying to say is, plastic surgery doesn?t make you fit, it makes you lazy. A) It?s always obvious, so respect is lost almost instantly. B) What is wrong with growing old gracefully with health and dignity? Put down the steroids and the needles and go outside and play with your children and your children?s children, that?s my ?expensive? secret.

Trishala wants to get into movies but you are dead against it. Why?

None of my sisters are in the movies, nor are my nieces going to be. That?s how Dutt sahab, my dad, brought up the girls in the family and I am just carrying his thought forward. If he had been alive today, Trishala wouldn?thave thought about getting into movies.

What do you have to say about ghost-directing your films?

Honestly, every label accorded to me is by the media and hugely inaccurate. So I don?t have much to say about monikers like ?perfectionist?, or ?ghost-director?. If somebody wants to cast aspersions on my relationship with my directors, then it is their lookout. However, by saying that I ghost-direct, the media has overlooked the contributions of my directors in my movies.

In an interview with Amitabh Bachchan, he said that you were na?ve back when you acted with him in Kaizad Gustad?s Boom (2003). Looking back, was your Bollywood debut scary?

It?s really an interesting observation by Mr Bachchan. I was 17 years old when I came here (to Mumbai) and I was genuinely na?ve, unlike today?s 17-year-olds, who are far sharper. I viewed everything, every person in the best possible way, and it?s not like I think that?s a bad quality. But it?s a quality that people can take advantage of. I was very trusting. I felt nobody could mean anything wrong or have bad intentions. Yes, I could have been misused or led the wrong way. But there were many different factors as to why nothing bad happened to me and why I could grow very quickly.

Is Bollywood unfair to actresses who are past their prime?

...It?s not just the film industry. It?s a mindset that exists in all industries and in every sphere of life. Women are expected to be younger and good looking. Unfortunately, that?s been the mindset for ages. And to put it simply, the film industry is a reflection of society. Let?s ask ourselves: are men and women ever considered equals?

You?re all over the place just before the release of any of your films, but not so accessible otherwise. Why?

I have a personality problem. I am extremely shy; an introvert and a private person. I lead a normal life when I am not working. I am not on Facebook, Twitter or anywhere. I like it this way. You?ll see that I don?t have a PR manager to take care of my image, because there isn?t any image that I have set out to create.

Economic environment during infancy linked with substance use, delinquent behavior in adolescence

Public release date: 31-Dec-2012
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Contact: Susan Cole
colesu@upstate.edu
315-464-6547
JAMA and Archives Journals

CHICAGO The larger economic environment during infancy may be associated with subsequent substance use and delinquent behavior during adolescence, according to a report published Online First by Archives of General Psychiatry, a JAMA Network publication.

The current economic crisis has received much attention from policy makers, although the focus has been on short-term effects, while the long-term influences of such financial crises, especially on young children, have generally not been examined, according to the study background.

Seethalakshmi Ramanathan, M.B.B.S., D.P.M., of the State University of New York Upstate Medical University, and colleagues examined the relationship between the high unemployment rates during and after the 1980 and 1981-1982 recession, and rates of subsequent adolescent substance use and delinquent behaviors. Researchers used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, which included a group of 8,984 adolescents born from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1984.

"The results demonstrate a strong correlation between the unemployment rate during infancy and subsequent behavioral problems. This finding suggests that unfavorable economic conditions during infancy may create circumstances that can affect the psychological development of the infant and lead to the development of behavioral problems in adolescence," the authors note.

According to the study results, exposure to a 1 percent deviation from mean regional unemployment rates at the age of 1 year was associated with an increase in the odds ratios of engaging in marijuana use (1.09), smoking (1.07), alcohol use (1.06), arrest (1.17), gang affiliation (1.09), and petty (1.06) and major theft (1.11). No significant associations were noted with the use of hard drugs and assaultive behavior, the results indicate.

"Although the past does not necessarily predict the future, it provides important lessons. Our findings suggest an important static risk factor that mental health professionals may want to take into account when dealing with children exposed to the current economic crisis," the authors conclude. "We hope that the study inspires mental health professionals to look for potential causes and explore interventions that can mitigate some of these long-term consequences."
###

(Arch Gen Psychiatry. Published online December 31, 2012. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.280. Available pre-embargo to the media at http://media.jamanetwork.com.)

Editor's Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

To contact Seethalakshmi Ramanathan call or email Susan Cole.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Economic environment during infancy linked with substance use, delinquent behavior in adolescence Public release date: 31-Dec-2012
[ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Susan Cole
colesu@upstate.edu
315-464-6547
JAMA and Archives Journals

CHICAGO The larger economic environment during infancy may be associated with subsequent substance use and delinquent behavior during adolescence, according to a report published Online First by Archives of General Psychiatry, a JAMA Network publication.

The current economic crisis has received much attention from policy makers, although the focus has been on short-term effects, while the long-term influences of such financial crises, especially on young children, have generally not been examined, according to the study background.

Seethalakshmi Ramanathan, M.B.B.S., D.P.M., of the State University of New York Upstate Medical University, and colleagues examined the relationship between the high unemployment rates during and after the 1980 and 1981-1982 recession, and rates of subsequent adolescent substance use and delinquent behaviors. Researchers used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, which included a group of 8,984 adolescents born from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 1984.

"The results demonstrate a strong correlation between the unemployment rate during infancy and subsequent behavioral problems. This finding suggests that unfavorable economic conditions during infancy may create circumstances that can affect the psychological development of the infant and lead to the development of behavioral problems in adolescence," the authors note.

According to the study results, exposure to a 1 percent deviation from mean regional unemployment rates at the age of 1 year was associated with an increase in the odds ratios of engaging in marijuana use (1.09), smoking (1.07), alcohol use (1.06), arrest (1.17), gang affiliation (1.09), and petty (1.06) and major theft (1.11). No significant associations were noted with the use of hard drugs and assaultive behavior, the results indicate.

"Although the past does not necessarily predict the future, it provides important lessons. Our findings suggest an important static risk factor that mental health professionals may want to take into account when dealing with children exposed to the current economic crisis," the authors conclude. "We hope that the study inspires mental health professionals to look for potential causes and explore interventions that can mitigate some of these long-term consequences."
###

(Arch Gen Psychiatry. Published online December 31, 2012. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.280. Available pre-embargo to the media at http://media.jamanetwork.com.)

Editor's Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

To contact Seethalakshmi Ramanathan call or email Susan Cole.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-12/jaaj-eed122712.php
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Central African Republic rebels ignore negotiation

Soldiers from the Republic of Congo, operating under a multinational central-african regional mandate, arrive by airplane to boost existing forces, at an airport in Bangui, Central African Republic Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. Rebels in the Central African Republic on Monday rejected appeals for them to halt their advances and to negotiate to form a coalition government. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) ? President Francois Bozize's government came under growing threat Monday as rebels vowing to overthrow him rejected appeals from the African Union to hold their advance and try to form a coalition government.

Meanwhile, dozens of troops from Republic of Congo arrived at sunset on New Year's Eve in Bangui, the capital, as part of an effort to step up the presence of a multinational regional military force.

After disembarking from their military aircraft, the group of about 120 men was headed toward the line between government forces and a coalition of four rebel groups known as Seleka north of Bangui.

The rebels have seized control of about 10 towns in less than a month's time, and now have moved within striking distance to the capital, a city of more than 700,000 people. The government has imposed a curfew of 7 p.m., leaving the streets largely empty on New Year's Eve.

Soldiers from Central African Republic and a regional military force are currently in Damara, about 75 kilometers (45 miles) from Bangui. The rebels, meanwhile, are holding the city of Sibut, which is about 185 kilometers (115 miles) away.

The rebels on Monday said they did not trust Bozize's offer to form a unity government, raising fears they could attempt confrontation with government forces in the coming days.

"We are not convinced of the commitments made ??by President Bozize," said rebel spokesman Juma Narkoyo when reached by telephone. "Bozize has always spoken, but he never keeps his word."

The rebels said they would enter negotiations "only if the head of state releases all our relatives they have arrested without reason."

The rebels claim that Bozize has abducted more than a dozen of their family members. They warned if the president uses foreign troops to protect his government, they may continue their campaign toward the capital.

In response the rebels were told by the African Union that if they seize power they will face sanctions and Central African Republic will be suspended from the organization.

Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande welcomed the efforts by the AU and the group of neighboring states to find a negotiated solution. Hollande called for "opening a dialogue between CAR authorities and all the parties present, including the rebellion."

Hollande last week said his government would only protect French interests in CAR, but would not prop up the Bozize government.

Central African Republic has suffered many army revolts, coups and rebellions since gaining independence from France in 1960.

The rebels behind the current instability signed a 2007 peace accord allowing them to join the regular army, but insurgent leaders say the deal wasn't fully implemented.

Neighboring African countries have agreed to send more forces to support the Bozize government.

Representatives from the 10-nation Economic Community of Central African States, or ECCAS, agreed at a meeting in Gabon on Friday to send forces to CAR, but did not did not specify how many troops would be sent or how quickly the military assistance would arrive.

The ECCAS states, with more than 500 soldiers via their regional peacekeeping force in Central Africa, warned the rebels over the weekend to halt their advances.

The neighboring Republic of Congo sent 120 troops from Brazzaville on Monday to bolster the regional force, according to a New Year's statement from Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso. Troops from Gabon and Cameroon also were expected in the coming days to join extra forces already sent from Chad.

The regional forces are there to help stabilize the area but "will be forced to defend ourselves" if the rebel forces open fire, said Gabriel Enteha Ebia, the Republic of Congo's ambassador to Central African Republic.

The ongoing instability here already has prompted the United States to evacuate about 40 people, including the U.S. ambassador, from Bangui on an U.S. Air Force plane bound for Kenya, U.S. officials said on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the operation.

The United States has special forces troops in the country who are assisting in the hunt for Joseph Kony, the fugitive rebel leader of another rebel group known as the Lord's Resistance Army. The U.S. special forces remain in the country, the U.S. military's Africa Command said from its headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.

The evacuation of the U.S. diplomats came after criticism of how the U.S. handled diplomatic security before and during the attack on its consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11. The ambassador and three other Americans were killed in that attack.

In Washington, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland expressed concern "about the deteriorating security situation in the Central African Republic" and called on the rebel alliance "to cease hostilities and movements towards the capital."

At the same time, she urged the government to respect human rights, saying the U.S. is "concerned by allegations of arrests and disappearances of hundreds of individuals who are members of ethnic groups with ties to the rebel alliance."

She urged both sides to work with the Central African economic community "to seek a political resolution to this crisis."

China announced Monday that it is evacuating its 300 citizens from CAR, although its embassy staff will stay.

French diplomats have remained in Bangui, despite a violent demonstration outside its embassy last week. Dozens of protesters, angry at France's lack of help against rebel forces, threw rocks at the French Embassy in Bangui and stole a French flag.

CAR, a landlocked nation of 4.4 million people, is one of the poorest countries in the world. The current president himself came to power nearly a decade ago in the wake of a rebellion in this resource-rich yet deeply poor country. Despite Central African Republic's wealth of gold, diamonds, timber and uranium, the government remains perpetually cash-strapped.

___

Associated Press writer Kirubel Tadesse contributed to this report from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-12-31-Central-Africa-Republic-AU/id-f06c0d73cc8f49fe9ffb811b6aedfea2

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Kardashian, West feel 'blessed' over baby news

FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2012 file photo, television personality Kim Kardashian poses for photographers at the red carpet during the 40th anniversary of Cosmopolitan magazine in Spanish in Mexico City. Kanye West announced at a concert in Atlantic City Sunday night, Dec. 30, 2012 that his girlfriend Kardashian is pregnant. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File)

FILE - Kim Kardashian, right, and Kanye West, left, are shown before an NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks in this Dec, 6, 2012 file photo taken in Miami. The rapper Kanye West announced at a concert Sunday night Dec. 30, 2012 that his girlfriend is pregnant. He told the crowd of more than 5,000 at the Ovation Hall at the Revel Resort in song form: "Now you having my baby." ( AP Photo/Alan Diaz, File)

FILE - In a Monday, May 7, 2012 file photo, Kanye West arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala benefit, in New York. West announced that his girlfriend Kim Kardashian is pregnant at a concert in Atlantic City Sunday night, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, File)

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) ? Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are feeling lucky about their first child together.

"It's true," the 32-year-old reality TV star said in a statement on her site Monday. "Kanye and I are expecting a baby. We feel so blessed and lucky and wish that in addition to both of our families, his mom and my dad could be here to celebrate this special time with us."

Kardashian's father, Robert Kardashian, died in 2003. West's mother, Donda West, died in 2007.

Kardashian added in the blog post that she was "looking forward to great new beginnings in 2013 and to starting a family."

The 35-year-old rapper revealed to a crowd of more than 5,000 in song form at a concert Sunday that his girlfriend is pregnant. Kardashian was in the crowd at Revel Resort's Ovation Hall with her mother, Kris Jenner, and West's mentor and best friend, Jay-Z.

The news instantly went viral online, with thousands posting and commenting on the expecting couple.

Most of the Kardashian clan tweeted about the news, including Kim's sisters. Kourtney Kardashian wrote: "Another angel to welcome to our family. Overwhelmed with excitement!"

West told concertgoers to congratulate his "baby mom" and that this was the "most amazing thing."

Representatives for West and Kardashian didn't immediately respond to emails about the pregnancy.

The rapper and reality TV star went public with their relationship in March.

Kardashian married NBA player Kris Humphries in August 2011 and their divorce is not finalized.

West's Sunday-night show was his third consecutive performance at Revel. He took the stage for nearly two hours, performing hits like "Good Life," ''Jesus Walks" and "Clique" in an all-white ensemble with two bandmates.

Kardashian is expected to spend New Year's Eve at public appearance at a Las Vegas nightclub.

___

AP Writer Bianca Roach contributed to this report.

___

Follow Mesfin Fekadu on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MusicMesfin . Follow Bianca Roach at http://twitter.com/B__Roach

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2012-12-31-Kanye%20West-Kim%20Kardashian/id-addb865bc3fd431aac76f2ec59f5bc98

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The very purpose of spirituality is self-discipline. Rather than ...

Criticizing others, or criticizing yourself. One will get you results, the other just annoys people.

Criticize others, or criticize yourself. One will get you results, the other just annoys people. Be constructive in your self-criticism, and then do something about it.

What does that mean?
Recently, I was riding in a car when the driver criticized the driver we were following for their driving style. To me, that was exactly what this quote was about.

They were criticising others for something they didn?t even know they did, and did so in their absence. Without them being present, there would be no way of them understanding what had happened, or altering their behavior.

Instead, the quote urges us to evaluate what we could do to better adapt to the situation, and criticize ourselves and our behaviors. It is implied, at least in my mind, that after we criticize ourselves, we then do something about it, and act to remedy our deficiencies.

Why is fixing ourselves first important???
To me, this quote is mostly about developing the self-discipline necessary to be able to improve ourselves. Lacking that level of self-discipline, we cannot push ourselves to do the work necessary to get better at much of anything. And that?s not much of a life, is it?

It is easy enough to criticize others, for some reason, that just comes natural to most of us. However it is usually much more difficult to even notice a defect, much less criticize it, when we are dealing with ourselves. Again, that just doesn?t seem to be the way it works.

However, with some effort, we can turn the focus to ourselves as the first place to examine when something isn?t quite right. As we are the only person whom we can actually make change. If we can remember that fact, we can more easily make the change.

Where can I apply this in my life?
What are some of the things which others do which annoy you to the point of criticizing others? That might be a clue that there is something you could try to change in yourself. Can you take a moment and consider what rule of yours that they are breaking?

Once you know what the rule is that they are breaking (or bending), you can try to determine where that rule comes from, and if it still serves you. Is it something you learned as a child, but isn?t useful anymore? Is it a rule you learned from your parents or a teacher, which is no longer useful?

Is it something unrealistic in this day and age? Is it even proper, given the change in societal standards over the past few decades? Are you tilting at windmills, or otherwise behaving in an anachronistic manner? Perhaps you could change just a little bit, right?

In the case of the driver mentioned above, they have a certain set of habits that the other driver didn?t know, and wasn?t likely to have developed on their own. Without any communication of common ground rules, there was little chance that the other person would do what was expected.

This would be a prime case for changing our rules for just a little while, so as not to get angry or frustrated with the other driver, right? Then everyone can arrive happy and relaxed, not angry and frustrated. How much of a change do you think it would take to accommodate the quirks of the other person?

Grab some paper and write down a few of the things that annoy you. Once you have a couple of them listed, try to figure out what is the rule that people are breaking that causes each of the annoyances. Now write down what some of the reasons why you have those rules.

Pick one of the items on your list where you want to make a change. The first thing to determine is if this is a life-long change, or just a rule you need to relax for a while under certain circumstances. For a life-long change you?ll need to completely dismantle the rule, as well as replacing all the old reasons with new reasons which support the new rule.

If all you have to do is put up with someone?s quirks for the duration of a trip, a holiday gathering, or a weekend away, all you need to do is come up with reasons to temporarily relax your rule until things are more or less back to normal for you.

Either way, you will have to spend some time carefully examining your life and your reasons for being the way you are. ?I?ve always been that way.? may be a good excuse, but it is not a reason. Until you can find the beliefs and examples that support your rules, you will forever be subject to them.

Whether you believe in spirituality or not, I believe the very basis of civilization is self-discipline. Without it, society and even families break down rapidly. When this is combined with the realization that we cannot force others to change, we can come to realize the power of this quote. I hope you chose to live it, as I am trying to do.

From: Twitter,?@DalaiLama
confirmed at : it?s his own feed?
Photo by?korona-pl

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Source: http://philosiblog.com/2012/12/30/the-very-purpose-of-spirituality-is-self-discipline-rather-than-criticizing-others-we-should-evaluate-and-criticize-ourselves/

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