The Justice Department on Tuesday approved Alaska Air Group Inc.’s acquisition of Virgin America Inc., but imposed conditions requiring Alaska Air to scale back its route partnership with American Airlines Group Inc.

The $2.6 billion merger deal, struck in April, would create the fifth-largest U.S. airline by traffic, surpassing JetBlue Airways Corp., which lost a bidding war with Alaska Air for Virgin America.

Even...</s>In the last few years there has been a national spotlight placed on the police in this country. One of Youngstown State University’s strongest and largest departments is the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services’ department of criminal justice and forensic sciences.

Edward Villone has been YSU’s Police Academy Commander since 2013. Villone said the criminal justice department continues to see high enrollment and good perspective from students.

“[The Police Academy students] want to be the police and want to do something good. People come into this for the right reason,” he said. “It is a lot of work, time and effort and stress on yourself and your family to be involved in law enforcement to begin with, so I think they come into it today for the right reason.”

The issues police are facing are always evolving, and the curriculum used in the criminal justice department and police academy has been updated to reflect these changes.

“The evolving changes are the issues with terrorism, new technologies, DNA evidence, electronic evidence and cybercrimes,” Villone said. “Things that are dynamic in nature have completely revamped the curriculums for the state and for the students, so they stay abreast to what’s going on.”

Villone noted that the curriculum is designed for them to interject and add information on these evolving topics. The day after the Ohio State University attacks in November, YSU’s police academy was able to discuss it and focus in on issues of terrorism.

Several of the students in the police academy said they had mixed feelings on how prepared they feel going into the workforce after graduation.

Nathan Fabian, a police academy student, said while a classroom education is important, it can only do so much when it comes to a cop’s overall education.

“We’ve taken in a lot of knowledge, but there’s absolutely no way to fully prepare for [this job] … You don’t learn police work in a classroom,” Fabian said. “You learn it through experience.”

Fabian said that as a student he never second guessed his decision to choose policing.

“I personally felt like as things got progressively worse that was more so a call to duty for me,” he said.

David Ritz, another student in the police academy, said the people speaking to them at the academy are proof that they will be as prepared as they can be going into the job.

“We’ve had so many instructors who are phenomenal police officers, and they had far fewer hours in a police academy than we do,” Ritz said. “They’re still capable of doing their job at an extremely high level, so that just shows you that a lot of it is going to be learning while you’re on the job. That’s why you have those senior guys to actually speak into you and show you what you’re supposed to be doing.”

Christian Onwudiwe is a professor in the criminal justice department. He said the curriculum has been infused with the dynamics of cultural diversity.

“Before, cultural diversity was not an issue in policing, but today it is,” Onwudiwe said. “As a police officer, you are breaking within a multiethnic, multiracial society.”

Onwudiwe said the opportunity to help make students great future police officers motivates him in teaching.

“I’m excited to teach it. It’s a good and noble career. A few bad officers have made the profession look bad. They should serve everyone equally and not abuse their power,” he said. “Police can’t solve the problem of crime if they don’t have the support of the public. We need each other.”</s>Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, who led the five-judge constitution bench in the Supreme Court which had struck down the controversial NJAC Act for appointment of judges, was on Tuesday recommended as the 44th Chief Justice of India.

Chief Justice of India T S Thakur today wrote a letter recommending the name of Justice Khehar, who is the senior most judge of the Supreme Court to be his successor.

Justice Khehar, 64, will be the first Chief Justice from the Sikh community and he will succeed CJI Thakur who will be demitting office on January 3, 2017.

Justice Khehar, who will be sworn in on January 4, will hold the tenure for over seven months till August 27, 2017.

Besides heading the bench in NJAC matter, Justice Khehar has also headed a bench which had set aside the imposition of President’s Rule in Arunachal Pradesh in January this year.

He was also a part of the bench which sent Sahara chief Subrata Roy to jail while hearing the matter relating to the refund of money invested by people in his two companies.

Justice Khehar also headed a bench which recently gave a significant verdict holding that the principal of ‘equal pay for equal work’ has to be made applicable to those engaged as daily wagers, casual and contractual employees who perform the same duties as the regulars.

While the turf war between the judiciary and the executive over the appointment of judges for higher judiciary has intensified, Justice Khehar on the occasion of Constitution Day on November 26 had responded to the tirade from Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi by saying that the judiciary was working within its “lakshmanrekha“.

“Judiciary is mandated to shield all persons, citizens and non-citizens alike, against discrimination and abuse of State power. Liberty, equality and dignity of citizen have flourished substantially in India due to the pro-active role of judiciary in the country,” he had said.</s>The Missouri City Police Department has once again received an award from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under the Fiscal Year 2016 Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) solicitation. The city has received the recurring grant for more than a decade, which reimburses the police department for 50 percent of costs for vest replacement.

Since 1999, the BVP program has awarded more than 13,000 jurisdictions, which has totaled $412 million in federal funds being used for the purchase of more than a million vests.

“The BVP award is a critical resource for many state and local jurisdictions such as our own, and we are grateful to have once again received this award, which will again help our department offset the costs of essential programs,” Chief of Police Mike Berezin said. “As Missouri City continues to grow, public safety initiatives must adapt to the demands of our increasing population. New technologies that assist our department have become crucial to our officers, so awards such as this allow us to utilize our budget resources in strategic ways.”

The award is the latest in a series of grant recognitions earned by the police department. Earlier this year, the department earned a $59,255 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Formula Grant from the Criminal Justice Division of the Office of the Governor through the Houston-Galveston Area Council to purchase automated license plate recognition equipment. The new technology will be utilized toward auto-theft prevention.

The FY 2016 BVP award is used for National Institute of Justice-compliant armored vests, which were available to be ordered after April 1.

In 2015, Missouri City was also named one of five Texas municipalities to receive a COPS grant in the sum of $500,000, which funded the hiring of four new police officers.

Awarded by the COPS Office Hiring Program, the grant was part of the more than $107 million in grant funding awarded to nearly 200 law enforcement agencies across the nation aimed at creating, and in some cases protecting, 866 law enforcement positions.</s>We invite you to join our sing-a-long, every third Wednesday of the month, at the Peace and Justice Center, 96 Harlow St., Suite 100 in Bangor, from 5:30 pm to 7 pm.

Instruments, voices and ears are all welcome. It is a “circle jam” format with everyone in turn playing or suggesting a song with a peace & justice focus, or passing on to the next person if they just want to listen.

This post was contributed by a community member. Submit your news →</s>
• Lack of preparation by Justice Ngwuta stalls his trial

Davidson Iriekpen in Lagos and Alexander Enumah in Abuja

The embattled judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, got a rude shock wednesday when operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) knocked on her door at about 5 a.m. to conduct a fresh search of her residence.

It was gathered that the operatives who arrived in large numbers, surrounded the house at No. 18B Lai Ajayi Bembe Street, Park View Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

This is coming eight days after a court had asked the anti-corruption agency to be professional in performing its duties.

Wondering why EFCC conducted the surprise raid on the home of a person who had already been arraigned in court, one of her lawyers described the search as “unlawful and an abuse of human rights”.

The EFCC had arraigned Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia alongside Mr. Godwin Obla, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on November 28, before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on a 30-count charge bordering on conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, offering gratification to a public official, and unlawful enrichment by a public official, among others.

Ofili-Ajumogobia and Obla were in EFCC detention for about two weeks before they were arraigned.

 The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Thereafter, counsel to Ofili-Ajumogobia, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN), and counsel to Obla, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), moved applications for them to be granted bail.

They were granted bail in the sum of N20 million and on self-recognition.

 The next day, a court threw out Ofili-Ajumogobia’s fundamental rights suit, and urged EFCC to be professional in its conduct.

Justice Muslim Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos had lashed out at EFCC over the way and manner it carried out its probe of Ofili-Ajumogobia, while delivering judgment in the N50 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by her against the anti-graft agency over her prolonged detention.

In another corruption-related suit against a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, his trial was stalled yesterday, following claims by the defendant that he was not fully prepared for his trial.

 Ngwuta is being prosecuted by the federal government on a 16-count charge for corruption, money laundering and other financial crimes.

He has however pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on self-recognition.

 Trial judge, Justice John Tsoho of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court, delivering ruling on the bail application had fixed yesterday for the commencement of the trial.

But when the matter was called, lead counsel to the defendant, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), told the court that even though his team was anxious to prove the innocence of their client, they were not fully prepared to commence the trial as scheduled.

Citing relevant portions of the constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), Agabi asked the court for an adjournment in the interest of justice to enable his client prepare adequately for his defence.

 The counsel also requested the court to order the prosecution to upload all documents it intends to use in the trial, so that the defence could be fully prepared.

Responding, prosecution counsel, Charles Philips-Adeogun expressed surprise over the position of the defence, recalling that on the last adjournment it was the consensus of both parties that the trial would commence wednesday.

He drew the court’s attention to Section 396(3) of the ACJA that provides for the day-to-day trial upon arraignment.

While objecting to the application for adjournment by the defence, Philips-Adeogun also submitted that there was no document to avail the defence, as all documents to prosecute the trial had already been uploaded to the defence.

 He told the court that if the matter was adjourned, it would be a huge inconvenience for the prosecution, adding that he and his colleague are based outside Abuja, including the three witnesses they had planned to call to testify in the matter.

He suggested that in the alternative, the court should allow the prosecution to open its case while the defence could choose to do its cross-examination at the next adjourned date.

Delivering ruling on the application, Justice Tsoho, who held that Section 36 of the Constitution provides that a defendant be given adequate time to prepare for his defence, however, noted that that same section of the constitution covers a wide scope to include both the emotional and psychological disposition of the defendant.

 He noted that no reasonable person would have a criminal charge hanging over his head and would not be anxious to clear himself.

He said granting the application would enable the defendant have a settled disposition for the trial.

 Tsoho also stated that while Section 396(4) of the ACJA allows for five adjournments by the defendant, he was just making use of the first one.

The judge consequently granted the application and adjourned till January 18 and 23, 2017 for trial to commence.

 Justice Ngwuta was one of seven judges whose homes were raided by the Department of State Services (DSS) last October on allegations of corruption.</s>The trial of suspended Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, was on Monday stalled following claims of the defendant that he was not fully prepared for his trial.

He is being prosecuted by the Federal Government on a 16-count charge bordering on corruption, money laundering and other financial crimes.

The Justice however pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on self recognition.

Trial Judge, Justice John Tsoho, of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court then fixed December 7 for commencement of trial, in his ruling on the bail application.

When the matter was called, lead counsel to the defendant, Kanu Agabi, SAN, told the court that even though they are anxious to prove the innocence of their client, they were not fully prepared to commence trial as scheduled.

Citing relevant portions of the constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), Agabi asked the court for an adjournment in the interest of justice to enable his client prepare adequately for his defence.</s>QUEZON CITY (MindaNews / 07 December) — The first time I read that Court of Appeals Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao, was among the shortlisted applicants for a seat in Supreme Court, a feeling of excitement and pride. He is a Moro, a fellow Maranaw, a professor I admire, an intellectual giant for me. And I see bright hope from the comments of my Moro friends posting on Facebook. It was like shouting for joy that Pilipinas Gilas Basketball team had just been qualified for a FIBA cup or Olympics. Or like a Miss Universe Filipina contestant being selected among the top ten or top five finalists. Like we have been so deprived to be in the world stage of recognition.

But this is different. To many, this is about selecting better justices and advancing justice. But for me and for us Moros, this is mostly about having a Moro space in the highest halls of justice and about a long-awaited dream and hope of a minority having a chance to be appointed because decades have made us think and believe that there is always no chance. Now, a glimmer of hope in the administration of the first Mindanawon President, who has the discretion to appoint anyone nominated by the Judicial Bar Council (JBC).

The last Moro appointed as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court was Justice Abdulwahid Bidin. He was appointed in January 1987 during the post-EDSA Revolution. After 29 years since his last day in the highest court, no Moro-Muslim has ever been appointed as Justice. Maybe no Moro had ever dared to apply because JBC then was not completely liberated from partisan and political lobby. Since the creation of the Commonwealth government up to the first and third republic of the Philippines, I have not heard of any Moro Justice.

Under the Constitution, JBC must make sure that a nominee for Justice has proven competence, integrity, probity and independence. I believe JBC members have done well in its job of nominating list of the best and most qualified. And with this, any name from the shortlist that will be chosen and finally appointed by the President will be fine because each nominee is more or less deemed the best and most fit for the seat.

Choosing a Moro Justice in this country is akin to choosing and electing a Muslim Moro in the Senate. It is like an impossible dream. For the act of choosing is a political act. Since the post Edsa revolution and Cory Aquino administration, no Moro has ever been elected to senate after three decades. I blame this not only on the cultural and economic causes but also on the unfair political structure of the institutions created by the 1987 constitution. We cannot elect a Moro senator even if we Moros unitedly vote for one. There is really something wrong in the representation of our voice regarding all the issues affecting us not just as minority but also as citizens of this country. Federalism is still a contentious but timely issue. We leave this advocacy to our new father “Digong” to resolve the peace problem in the south.

Sometimes, I would tell myself that Japar must be grateful enough for he is the only Moro among the 69 incumbent Court of Appeals Justices, according to the court’s website. This is a lone man having the privilege and duty to interpret the law of the majority legislated and enacted by the non-Moro majority-filled Congress.

My friend tells me that our President belongs to Lex Taliones fraternity and most likey will appoint one of their own brods, just like other cabinet and important positions he entrusted to his own fraternity members. And other collegues of mine would joke that all appointments are being “Talionized.” Well, Digong has that sole prerogative to choose who he likes from among the nominees. That is his constitutional power.

But hope springs eternal. This is my unmoving belief and creed in life. I hope that someday, such appointment of Supreme Court justice can be depoliticized. And also “minoritized” so we can feel that we, the minority, are being recognized for our merits and hopes, and not taken for granted by the majority. (Maki T. Datu-Ramos, a History graduate from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, was a former Public Attorney and legal officer of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission and now an Assistant City Prosecutor of Makati City)</s>Clearing away DAPL protesters from a pipeline route across the twin Dakota states, Energy Transfer Partners oil company has indicated a resounding FO to the justice department.

The company is owned by prominent world banks and has financial connections to both presidential candidates.

In September the US Department of Justice issued an appeal to put development of this project on hold while issues can be investigated.

Disputed is "unceded territory," at issue since 1851, but claimed by the company and law enforcement to be "private land."

The question is who has the right to "eminent domain" here, with such matters usually decided in favor of corporations.

Historically, this land contains indigenous people's sacred areas, now being forced to give way to oil company progress.

Resistance has led to dogs, batons, pepper spray, armored vehicles, helicopters, sound cannons, flash bang grenades, bean bags, rubber bullets, arrests, strip searches, and crowded jails with inadequate services.

Violence escalated yesterday with burning vehicles, tires, and lumber at barricades.

Some shots were fired although the protesters generally are not armed. Their form of protest is mainly singing, beating drums, holding signs.

According to Ramon L. Hogwarth, spokesperson for Energy Transfer Partners, company response to the Department of Justice request has been a firm FO.

This means fill in the part however you please followed by off.

Concerns about pipelines bursting, leaking, decaying, and poisoning are overblown and "It hardly ever happens, don't get me started," said Hogwarth.

"We have tanks on the way, aircraft support," Hogwarth stated. "Plus drones and more dogs incoming, specially trained in Turkey to stop resistance against official business and the way things are."

The oil company is also planning to bring in mobile classrooms in huge RV's to which the protesters could sign up and "get educated" in small groups.

Mainstream media companies such as CNN, FOX News, ABC, The New York Times are being approached to assist and widen this process of "educating" the people on the importance of the oil industry.

The issue of global warming is nice, in Hogwarth's view, but in the way of getting on with business, America's number one value.

New shale oil and fracking this and that possibilities with only a few problems here and there will get the US closer to energy independence, he argues.

As with getting out of the middle east?

Mr. Hogwarth's brow furrowed at this possibility, but he moved on to other topics.

Alternative energy systems, yes, are nice but not adequate to get serious money out of it at this time for investors.

This lesson also. There will not be another defeat for the industry coming from the president's office, as with the Keystone pipeline case, he stated.

"In fact, Ms. Clinton thinks Russia is likely behind all this uproar in North Dakota, and there will be consequences when she takes office."
The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) issues final approval for Alaska Airlines to acquire Virgin America, in a US$2.6 billion dollar merger. In exchange for approval, the DOJ requires Alaska Airlines to reduce its partnership with American Airlines.