The Spirit of Tengri in Yakutia, Russia

Yakutia (Saha) is an autonomous republic in the Russian northern Far -East, and is famous for permafrost climate, Nordic deer, and diamonds. World's coldest region, the Oymiakon, is located in Eastern Yakutia.

Oymiakon, Yakutia, Russia

These music videos below present a traditional Yakutia music style, the first one is from a folk festival, the second is more pop/ 'Eurovision' mix, and also show nature scenes from Yakutia. 

Both music pieces are dedicated to Tengri. Tengri is the main Turkic god, from the pre-Islamic period. Tengri is the one controlling celestial spheres. He is often presented a pure, white goose that flies constantly over an endless expanse of water, which represents time . Tengri creates Er Kishi, who eventually becomes a demonic character. Together they rule the world. Those beliefs appear close to  Zoroastrianism, with only one main god. Tengri is also sometimes compared to the pagan Scandinavian deity Odinn. 

Ksenia Sobchak told about a new castling 

Ksenia Sobchak, referring to her sources, told Sobesednik.ru, that in the presidential elections in 2018,  it will be Medvedev turn to run. 

Ksenia, what do you think, will Putin run for the next term? 

- Very serious people close to the administration, are telling me that as of  today there is a decision about castling, that is than again Medvedev. But it seems nonsense to me . Medvedev, first of all, is much less electable, and the second - why this reshuffle? By 2018, they will somehow fix the economy, will come to their senses  ... -

What, oil price will rise ?

- Even if it will not go up, everybody will become accustomed. What is the price of oil to these people?  Do they receive preferential treatment from the fact that these prices are off scale? As before, some earned six million a month, and others - six thousand ... As for oil prices, in Russia they are not listening to economists but to an astrologer Globo. No, just by 2018  they will learn to cope with the shock, people are adaptable, and cit will be possible to  select calmly  for a further six years.

I do not think so. 
- Your optimism is well known. But they--and you will see this in 2016, -will firmly cement everything in the Duma, not a mouse will sneak by, not a fly - what PARNAS, no way, I beg you.

Translated by KarlosDJX

Source: Sobesednik.ru, January 3, 2016

Surkov and Nuland discussed Minsk agreements progress

WASHINGTON, Jan 15.

Progress in implementing the Minsk agreements, designed to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, was discussed at a meeting on Friday in Kaliningrad by Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov, and US Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland. This was announced by head of the press service of the US State Department, John Kirby. 
Kirby believes believes that the Surkov-Nuland consultations should be regarded as part of US efforts to work together
with Russia with an aim to guarantee full implementation of the Minsk 

TASS

Surkov: "detailed, constructive and useful consultations took place. That was a sort of brainstorming session seeking compromises towards fulfillment of Minsk agreements...On certain sensitive issues, such as constitutional reform (in Ukraine) , security, and elections, ideas were proposed, which may be further discussed in the Normandy format contact group"

RIA

It is reported that the  meeting lasted for 6 hours in total. 



Translated by Karlos.


Added: Interfax-Ukraine

Nuland:  "Recently truce turned into a better life, but it is not yet complete, people still die“, - she said.

” So the first challenge - to stop killing people, so you can move to other parts of Minsk agreements, including political decision, real elections in accordance with Ukrainian legislation which meets standards of the OSCE, withdrawal of foreign military equipment and military to regain control of the borders, “- added the assistant secretary of state.

According to Nuland,” we all have to work to Minsk agreements were enforced, otherwise we will be at least frozen conflicts, and perhaps worse - a constant danger for Ukraine and for themselves “.

Previously reported that Nuland on Friday will arrive in Kaliningrad, where he will hold talks with presidential aide in ‘Vyacheslav Surkov.

The interviewee said that these recommendations may relate, in particular, carrying out in parts of Donetsk and Lugansk regions local elections. 

More from BNS (Lithuania)  

Also: Recent Nuland interview,- found at BNS, and Translated by a robot:

US calls on allies to send troops into the Baltic states - BNS INTERVIEW

Paunguriai, 15 January. (BNS). United States invites allies to send their troops to the Baltic countries, that each of them would be formed after the international battalion arrived to Lithuania says US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland (Victoria Njuland).

BNS diplomat said in an interview that will take place in Poland in July NATO summit will strengthen their security at the same time called on the Russian twitchy eastern European countries to cope with challenges of the Alliance in the South.

V.Nuland said the US intends to continue to maintain a dialogue with Russia on Syria to stop the civil war and stop the flow of refugees.

The traditional security experts "Snow meeting" Trakai district participating diplomat also called on Minsk contribute to the implementation of agreements on a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, warning them that the collapse of Ukraine would face a constant threat.

- Mr Ambassador, at the meeting in Trakai focus on the upcoming NATO summit in Warsaw. Is this summit somehow increase their security?

- I think that certainly strengthen. We keep the promises that we have given (the former summit) in Wales to ensure that deter any threats act together and the strengthening of the region's countries, including Lithuania, the capacity of their own safety. We have come a long way already. In each of these countries regularly rotate 150 American soldiers are new NATO headquarters elements, Lithuania received the first US technology, which is deployed in advance, if necessary, improving your air defense, cyber-security capabilities, all countries in the region to better cooperate with each other. So I think that Lithuania and by all the countries citizens will benefit.

- More particularly the Baltic countries seek what could be called the "Baltic Brigade" - after the international battalion in each of the countries. Do you mean you support?

- The idea is that now each of the parties is under the host country band and US band, we are ready to work, and ask if you can help another ally of the regular rotation in, and how we can combine these companies, and that the overall result would force battalion but any given time. United States, of course, supported by the fact that more allies to come and contribute to our land forces here in the east. But NATO countries on the eastern outskirts as well as please think about how they can contribute to the situation in the South. We not only take care of the security of the East, but we are working to ensure the safety of the South. Solidarity must be both missions.

- In 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimea and eastern Ukraine started the war, quite a lot of politicians, journalists, analysts warned that the Baltic countries may become the next Russian President Vladimir Putin's target. In your opinion, is it a realistic scenario?

- The work we have done over the past one and a half, two years, speaks for itself, that deterrence is strong, and Russia did not take our test, with the exception of some kind in our air defense control. Remains a commitment to work together to ensure that that will continue, that our strength is evident and that would not be worth it to try.

- Many Lithuanian may be straightforward question - whether the US ever risking the Third World War in order to defend the Baltic states against Russian attack. What would you answer?

- We nekviečiame new members into the Alliance - whether it be in Germany in the fifties, and Lithuania, when you join you - without being willing to defend you. This is the fifth (North Atlantic Treaty) article. I have a draft-age sons and I appreciate it very seriously, I think all Americans appreciate it very seriously. But it is not only important that the Americans would come to defend Lithuania, but also as Lithuania contributes to the security of all of us, including your activities in such places as Afghanistan. This is the essence of the Alliance.

- I would like to go to Syria. Russia is there for your partner or a source of problems?

- As you know, Russia in Syria has its own approach. She continued to say that its military activities are primarily directed against the ISIL ("Islamic state" grouping). Išsakėme concern that in some cases they are aiming more to defend (President Bashar) Assad and his regime. But through dialogue that my leader, Secretary (John) Kerry carries with Foreign Minister (Sergei) Lavrov and Syrian wider international support group, we seek to find a political solution which will put an end to this war. This is important not only for Syria but for the entire region, as well as to stop the flow of desperate migrants here in Europe.

- Last question about Ukraine, where a few days ago again announced renewed ceasefire. Do you see the possibility that this year ceasefire to take effect, or the Minsk agreements can be implemented?

- It is very important that all of us who are friends of Ukraine, we work very hard to help not only Ukraine, but all of Normandy countries to implement the agreement in Minsk, which is important not only for Ukraine's security, but also the entire region's security.

You are right that the recent ceasefire implementation was better, but still incomplete, people are still dying, going clashes. Thus, the first challenge is to stop the massacres, so we can move on to other parts of the Minsk agreement, including a political decision, genuine elections according to the laws of Ukraine, who meet OSCE standards, foreign military equipment and troops withdrawal and the return of border controls. We all have to work that Minsk would be implemented, because otherwise we will have as a minimum a frozen conflict, and perhaps worse - a constant threat to Ukraine and yourself.

- Madam Deputy Secretary, thank you for your time.

 Return  of  Donbass and Gryzlov visit. The main points of Poroshenko speech 

"I am the first man in Parallel Universe"

Return of control over the Donbas 
Poroshenko said that the top priority for this year  is the return of control over the occupied territories of Donbass. "Achieving peace and the return of Ukrainian to Donbass. In 2016, the restoration  of the Ukrainian sovereignty  over the occupied territories in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions should occur" - said the head of state.

Fight for the annexed Crimea.

He added that the annexed by Russia  peninsula remains a priority for Ukraine. According to Poroshenko, he wants to initiate the establishment of an international mechanism for  de-occupation of the peninsula. "In my opinion, the optimal option for the start of such a mechanism, I consider the Geneva format with the participation of our partners from the European Union, the United States and, perhaps, the signatory countries of the Budapest Memorandum," - said the Ukrainian leader.
...

Regarding Gryzlov visit, Poroshenko said that he reserves the right to speak with whomever, "to bring our heroes, Savchenko, Sentsov, back, and to stop shelling of Ukrainian positions".



TSN.UA

(Just translating. Karlos).

Russia in the Mist 

In the beginning of the second decade of January 2016 the cyclone “Daniella” affected the European part of Russia.

Cyclone “Daniella” originated in Central Europe and brought a lot of rain and snowfall.

The orange weather alert has been issued by the Met Office for strong wind and snowfall for 12^th and 13^th January 2016 in Capital region and also in other regions of Central Russia.

Strong snowfall in St.-Petersburg will continue for the next 3 days.

In Moscow just in one day 1/3 of monthly rate of precipitation for this period was observed.

Snow fall in Moscow was the biggest since the beginning of the winter, but not on the record.

The wind could reach 20m/sec. About 100 flights from Moscow have been delayed.

But the roads in capital are working in relaxed style because of the service provided by the transport ministry to clean the roads on time.

Because of the snowfalls in the Central Russian town Ulyanovsk the traditional celebration of the Old New Year (13-14^th January) was postponed till the upcoming weekend on 16^th January, when the travel will be resumed.

On federal road between Moscow and St.-Petersburg there was 170 mm of snow just in one day - equivalent to whole month of precipitation.

180 special machines for cleaning the snow have been working around the clock. So there was no traffic jam on the road.

Near the city Voronezh the icy rain damaged the electrical cables, which were teared apart by the weight of ice. The households have been left without electricity.

 

Public transport in Moscow was not affected by the weather conditions. The Metro rails were cleared from snow timely, so the travel was not disrupted.

Citizens have been encouraged not to use their cars, but to use the public transport instead, which run smoothly.

TASS-Society. (More rare weather photos in the original)

Translated from Russian by ZenaV_1.0 © for Karlos DJX  ©

Noted: Russia in the Mist  here is a variation on Russia in the Shadows, a documentary by Herbert George Wells, written in 1920 after his visits to Soviet Russia. 

Petr Poroshenko and Boris Gryzlov discussed  relations between Moscow and Kiev 

Illustration on Cassad blog:

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko met with Boris Gryzlov, the representative of Russia in the contact group on resolving the situation in the Donbass . According to ZN.ua sources , the sides discussed a wide range of issues of the Russian-Ukrainian relations. One of the topics of the talks was changes in the constitution of Ukraine, which must be approved by Ukrainian Parliament (the Rada) before the end of the current session. According to the newspaper, the meeting was initiated by the President of Ukraine.

Earlier, Boris Gryzlov held talks with Leonid Kuchma, the representative of Ukraine to the tripartite contact group. In Kiev. The arrival of the Russian policymaker to the Ukrainian capital was called unprecedented. Yesterday in Minsk  political subgroup of the tripartite contact group continued its work to resolve the situation in the Donbass, And today, the first  in the year of 2016 meeting of the tripartite group will be held 

 Source: Kommersant

 January 12, 2016. Translated by Karlos. 

First Film of Andrey Tarkovsky

1956 "The Killers" is the first film of the great director. The film was made when Tarkovsky was in his  third year at VGIK, in the Fall semester, together with his classmates A. Gordon and M. Bakey. At that time, collected  works of Ernest Hemingway were  published for the first time in the Soviet Union, and Tarkovsky proposed to make a short film based on Hemingway story. VGIK officially approved the project, which enabled the students to make a film based on a works of a foreign author.

The first and last scene in the cafe were filmed ( ) by Tarkovsky, the second scene, in the room Andresen, was filmed by A.Gordon. All the roles in the film are played by students of VGIK. The film was highly appreciated by the master of this VGIK course,  Mikhail Romm. Movie script was written by Tarkovsky and Gordon. The film was directed by Bakey, Gordon, and Tarkovsky.

See Alexander Gordon publication for more: The parts were to be played by fellow students — Nick Adams by Yuli Fait, Ole Anderson the former boxer, of course, by Vasily Shukshin. The murderers were Valentin Vinogradov, a directing student, and Boris Novikov, an acting student. I played the cafe owner... 

By 2002, it was other way around: Steven Soderbergh "Solaris",  a reflection on  Tarkovsky's "Solaris" (1972); both based on a sci-fi story by a Polish writer Stanislav Lem. 

Don Cossacks in Nobel Prize literature & film

The list of candidates for the Nobel Prize 1965 in Literature revealed after 50 years by the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences.

Mikhail Sholokhov(1905-1984)

90 writers competed for the prize, which was awarded to Russian writer Mikhail Sholokhov (1905-1984).

The list include those who eventually got it later, for example Samuel Beckett (1969) and Pablo Neruda (1971)

Also on the list there are Anna Akhmatova, Vladimir Nabokov, Konstantin Paustovskii, Jorge Luis Borges, Ezra Pound, Georges Simenon, Heinrich Boll, W.H. Auden, Louis Aragon, Maria Dabrowska, Yasunari Kawabata,

There was a suggestion for Sholokhov and Achmatova sharing the prize. But it was declined by the chair of the committee Anders Esterling .

As the committee described it, Sholokhov received this prize for the artful and comprehensive description of the Don cossacks fortitude during the crucial time in Russian history in his epic novels “And quiet flows the Don” and “Virgin Soil upturned”. All members voted for Sholokhov in unity.

Sholokhov became the only Soviet writer, who received this prize with an agreement from the Soviet Government.

The names of the runners for the prize kept in secret by the Academy. It is only 50 years later after the granting the prize when the documents revealed to the public.

It was revealed in 2014, that Vladimir Nabokov was running for the prize in 1963, but he didn’t receive it because of the “amoral” nature of the novel “Lolita”.

Russian writers - winners of Nobel Prize:

1933 Ivan Bunin (1870–1953)

1958 Boris Pasternak (1890–1960)

1965 Michail Sjolochov(1905-1984)

1973 Aleksandr Solsjenitsyn (1918–2008)

1987 Joseph Brodsky (1940–1996)

2015 Svetlana Alexievich (1948–)

//Based on materials from Alexander Baklanov “Snob”, Svenska Dagbladet and 

translated by ZenaV_1.0 © for KarlosDJX©

See  "And quiet flows the Don" and other Russian language movies in my playlist 

Noted: this version is from 1957, and it has English subs (as well as most of the films  on the playlist)...There is an earlier version, it is on the list, too, from 1931, with Russian subs only.

Peremoga: Price inflation in Ukraine beats 20 years old record 

Price inflation in Ukraine is the highest in the last 20 years 

That was reported by the State Statistics Service of Ukraine

 In comparison to December 2014, when inflation was 24,9%, in the last month of 2015 it stands at 43,3%, which is the worst for Ukrainian economy in the last 20 years.

However, compared to November 2015 the inflation rate declined. In thNovember, prices rose by 2%, while in December only 0.7%. As reported by Ukrainian economists, in 2015  even the shadow economy in Ukraine has suffered. 

Noted by translator: Ukrainian Peremoga means victory, here used in the ironic Yin/Yang sense of zrada, the latter being  treason.

Translation of an article in  Rusvesna by  ZenaV_1.0© for KarlosDJX©

Noted: See Observations for the actual plot

Creator of "Star Wars" George Lucas in his interview with Charlie Rose complained about the lack of creative freedom. "In this world we are living, in the system which we  created for ourselves - you must not loose the money. The fact is, you are forced to make a particular kind of film. I used to answer to those during the time of the old Soviet Union, who were asking me the question:"What, are you not glad that you are living in America?" I always used to say, that I know many Russian film directors, who have far more freedom than me. They must be careful only in critisizing the government, the rest they can do what they like to do." - according to the words by film director in the "Wall Street" Journal.

Contradictory to Lucas's opinion the Journal published fragments from the book 

"History of the Russian film" by Birgit Beumers, a researcher from the Bristol University.

In her observation, the art house cinematography during stagnation period (1967 - 1982) experienced the difficulties because of it's poetic language which was not accessible to the wide population and because of it's symbolism, which could go against the political demo of the day.

Sometimes the international support led to a film to be shown during some festivals, when at home a film was not released or released on restricted terms.

Birgit Beumers cited as an example Tarkovsky's "Andrey Rublev" (the release was delayed by 7 years) and "Inspection on the roads" by Herman (was forbidden for release).

Translated back to English an article published by Russian RT (in Russian) by ZenaV_1.0 © for KarlosDJX©

Chubarov: World leaders are developing scenarios of partitioning Russia,

Photo:  Politnavigator.net

World leaders are developing scenarios of partitioning Russia, according to  the chairman of illegal Majlis, MP Refat Chubarov, from his interview to "First UA".

 According to him, in the current state of Russia is dangerous for them.

"Today, all over the world, there is no doubt among the leaders of all countries that not only the political regime of Putin is some kind of a threat to humanity, but that Russia itself, the way it is today, is a threat. A lot of "roll-back" plans appeared, some possibly unacceptable. There are lots  of projects on dividing Russia, so that there are no new threats, "- said Chubarov.


01.04.2016, Kiev, Maxim Karpenko

Crimea, NATO, Politics, Russia, Scene of the day, Ukraine

Translated by ZenaV-1 for KarlosDJX

politnavigator.net

Year of the monkey: do not see anything, do not hear anything, do not say anything

Help TV2  Crowdfunding effort (under  closure threat-see details opening the link)

Author: Julia Kornev, photos and video: Alexander Sokolov and Oleg Mutovkin

Three Monkeys. The classic image: one closes his eyes, the other - the ears, the third - the mouth. It is originated from the Eastern philosophy. In Taoism, the Tao – is the Way: "can’t hear, and if we hear something - so it's not the Way, the Way is invisible, and if we see something - then it is not the Way. It is impossible to say anything about the Way, and if something is said about the Way- this means, that it is not the Way….” For the Western man is easier to see in the three monkeys a collective ostrich with its head in the sand in the face of problems.


"The story of one thing" - a joint project with the Tomsk Regional Museum.

The Tomsk regional museum stored very close to the original copy of the carving, depicting the three monkeys from the oldest religious center in the city of Nikko (Japan). The most famous landmark is a Shinto shrine in Nikko Tosegu which included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Tosegu is a complex of buildings adorned with rich wood carvings. One of the most famous is the stable where the perimeter is the carved panels depicting monkeys.

The Senior research fellow Elena Malofienko at the Tomsk regional museum explains:


- This carved panel was received in 1945 from resident of Tomsk  Tregubova - this is the only record from the 50s, there is no more data in Museum books. How it got to Tomsk is unknown, but if it is year 1945, then we can suggest, that it is out of the trophy, from those who returned from the Soviet-Japanese war, maybe from China. This symbol of Three Monkeys was already known since  the 17th century, it came to Japan from China, and from Japan has spread around the world. Our mural decoration resembles the stables at the sanctuary Tosegu in Nikko. Generally monkey in some Eastern beliefs was considered the guardian of the horses.
But these three monkeys represent also more ancient Taoist beliefs. In Taoism there is a concept: the Way. If you are on the Way, you hear only with your heart. What you see is not true.

There is interpreted both In Japan or China that one monkey hear no evil, sees no evil the other one, and the third one does not say evil.
Before that was the fourth monkey, which was covering its groin.
In the eastern interpretation of the image of the three monkeys suggests that our senses deceive us, that is, you need not to pay attention to what you see and do not pass the judgement, that is, to speak in Russian, to live, listening to your heart.
In the European transcription of this image the conclusions are drown about non-violence and non-resistance to evil.

The cultural influence of the three monkeys

The composition of the three monkeys, if not popular, is still recognizable in almost all corners of the World.

Mahatma Gandhi - a fighter for the independence of India, a teacher of the Indian people and an ideologist of nonviolence never parted with his favorite three monkeys, perhaps the only luxury he could afford. Now the Gandhi monkeys are remaining one of the main relics in his former residence Bapu Kuti.

The writer Rudyard Kipling has written his personal impressions about the monkeys in the stables in Tosegu.

The individual images of the three monkeys are included in the standard character set in Unicode, starting with version 6.

The monkeys entered the set of "smileys" in the subsection "characters gestures."

The three monkeys are depicted on the commemorative coin Somalia in 2006

They portrayed on stamps in Tajikistan and New Caledonia.

The images of the three monkeys in use in cartoons, books and songs.

Turkish film director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, who won the award at Cannes in 2008 for best director, for the film called «Uc Maymun» (translated from Turkish "three monkeys"). In the story, the characters are trying to get away from their family problems, trying to ignore and downplay them. That is, the "three monkeys" are considered by the authors as a synonym for the "ostrich position".

We asked residents of Tomsk, how they understand this image. The versions appeared very variable:



- The silence is a gold. Not to hear - the less gossip you hear, the longer you live, and not get ill. And not to see means not to see the bad in things.

- I see nothing, I hear nothing, it is none of my business - I know nothing.

- Indifference to the others, to the world.

- Maybe it's about us: I do not see, I do not hear, I do not say anything. It is about today's time.

- Every person has the image, it is his attitude towards the problems in life: some problems he does not want to see, about some he did not want to talk about, about some problems he do not want to hear. This is in every person in relation to the problems.

- Listen only to themselves, without perceiving the reality of what is outside and to realize just what is inside yourself. This has to be done.

- For us to strive for the truth and against the falsehood. For example, if there is around something negative happens, and he does not see, does not hear, does not interfere, not protect the offended. But the person must be such that if someone near him was offended, he should stand up for this person, and if someone is in trouble - to help. That is, it is the way how not to do it? - Yes.

- I see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil. That is, do not listen to evil, it is necessary to do good, I think, this is the main wish for the New Year.



According to the traditional Chinese calendar the upcoming Year of the Monkey will come on Feb. 8, 2016. This year corresponds to a natural element "fire", this means that year 2016 will be the year of the Red Monkey. It is repeated once in 60 years. The last time the same "flaming monkey" year was in 1956, and the next will come only in 2076. As the prophets Taoists say, who can be found around Beijing Abode White clouds, the Year of the Monkey promises dynamic change, swings from hope to despair and vice-versa.

Some of the events of the previous year, Red Monkey, 1956:

February 25 - during the XX Congress of the CPSU (Communist Party of the USSR) Khrushchev delivers a report on the exposure of Stalin's personality cult

March 23 - proclaimed the first Islamic republic - Pakistan

April 14 - Charles Ginsberg, Charles Anderson and Ray Dolby demonstrated his invention - the first video recorder (in triplicate)

April 28 - the Decree of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Chamber  to lift the special settlement regime for the deported people (during WWII)

May 10 - Soviet Union abolished tuition fees in high school

18 May - the Central Committee of CPSU appeal to the  Komsomol to go on the construction of mines in Donbass

June 21 - Soviet Union adopted the missile R-5M - the first Soviet missiles with nuclear warheads.

August 3 - Military coup In Syria.

August 16 - The Soviet Union adopted a resolution on the irrigation and development of virgin lands.

2 November - The Hungarian government announces withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact (signed in 1955) and refers to the United Nations and Western powers for help against the Soviet invasion.

In the next section, "The story of one thing" about the mysterious stick on the end of which instead of a handle  there is a hammer, but a pattern on the side of the stick can be used as a ruler.

Tags: History of one thing, in Tomsk ,Tomsk Regional Museum, the Year of red fiery monkey, three monkeys.

Translated by ZenaV_1.0© for KarlosDJX©.

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New Year Anekdotes

This Ukrainian anecdote from one of my playlists is translated from Russian by ZenaV-1 for KarlosDJX.  

Translation rights reserved

January 4, 2016.

Hitting the news !