France remembers Paris terror victims, as its President beats war drums against ISIS

(CNN)  All over France, blue-white-red national flags flew from buildings on Friday. President Francois Hollande asked the people to hoist the tricolor in patriotic solidarity with the 130 people terrorists massacred two weeks ago in Paris.

And in a grand square, Hollande called people together to mourn the killings in a national ceremony.

Attack survivors appeared as guests of honor alongside grieving families of those killed and diplomats representing countries of victims hailing from outside France.

The gathering spot is laden with symbolism.

Paris has many expansive public places, but the Hotel national des Invalides is a collection of museums and monuments to centuries of French military might. The remains of Napoleon Bonaparte are interred there.

It's a fitting place for Hollande to stand after beating the war drums against ISIS all week long.

France at war

Since the November 13 attacks, France has been at war with the militant group, Hollande has held, and he has vowed to destroy it. On Monday, French war planes flew airstrikes against ISIS from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

And Hollande's appointment calendar filled up with meetings with world leaders -- starting with British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday and ending with a visit to Moscow to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

His rallying cry has drawn encouraging, if small, echoes. Cameron called for Britain "to take action now, to help protect us against the terrorism seen on the streets of Paris and elsewhere." But his Labour Party opposition has said it would oppose the Prime Minister's proposal to expand UK airstrikes on ISIS positions in Iraq to include Syria, citing a lack of coherent strategy.

Russian conflict of interests

Pulling Russia into the mix has proven testy.

Russia is not a member of the U.S.-led global coalition against ISIS, although, on Thursday, Putin said that his country is ready to cooperate with the coalition.

But there is a conflict of interests in Russia's approach to Syria and that of the Western allies. The White House has said autocratic President Bashar al-Assad must go if there's going to be a peace in the nation torn by war since 2011 -- a belief France shares.

Russia is an ally of Assad. Also, France and Britain are already part of a U.S.-led coalition that has been bombing ISIS targets, while Russia is conducting separate airstrikes against ISIS but also against other more moderate groups that oppose Assad. And Russia has coordinated with the forces of Syria's President.

Adding to tensions, Turkey, a NATO member and a staunch Assad opponent, shot down a Russian military jet this week, saying the plane had crossed into its airspace and ignored multiple warnings. Russia says the plane had been in Syrian airspace.

Hollande also spoke with President Barack Obama, but the United States has shown no clear sign of budging from its vow there would be no U.S. ground incursion against ISIS.

Germany reverses stance

Germany is constitutionally hampered in participating in attacks outside its borders, but when Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Paris this week, Hollande reportedly called his close ally out.

In a reversal in its previous stance, Germany committed four high-tech reconnaissance fighter planes and logistical help to the fight against ISIS, German news site Spiegel Online reported.

"When the French President asks me to think hard about what more we can do, then it is a responsibility for us to think hard about it," Merkel told journalists on Wednesday.

As France mourns its dead, a key suspect in the attacks is still at large. It has been more than a week since an international arrest warrant was issued for key suspect Salah Abdeslam.

Investigators haven't detailed what they believe his role was in the coordinated series of attacks, but police say Abdeslam may have dropped suicide bombers off at the Stade de France stadium then made his way to another Paris neighborhood. His fingerprints were found in a car connected with the attacks.

States Lawmakers Discuss How To Domicile Criminal Justice Act

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Speakers of State Houses of Assembly are meeting in Ilorin the capital of Kwara State to deliberate how to domicile the Criminal Justice Act in their respective states for fairness, orderliness and quick dispensation of justice.

The two-day conference holding at the banquet hall of Kwara Hotel had Speakers or their representatives from different States in attendance.

In his remarks, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmed, explained that the conference would amend areas of flaws that had been observed with the Federal Act.

He said that they would agree on a single model administration of Criminal Justice bill that would be enacted by each state within an agreed time frame.

Dr Ahmed hoped that the conference would lay the road map to fast track legislative steps towards state level adoption of the administration of the Criminal Justice Act.

Management Of Criminal Justice

Addressing the lawmakers at the opening of the occasion, the Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, advocated for a more dynamic constitutional amendment process to enable the legislative arm modify existing laws while retaining the safeguards necessary to maintain their sanctity.

According to him, a sound criminal justice system is imperative for economic growth, political stability and social equilibrium.

Governor Ahmed called for solid foundation of good laws that could curb anti-social behaviours and other disruptive tendencies in the society.

Also at the event was the representative of the United Nations office on Drugs and Crimes, Dr. Belachew Fikre.

He said the body would continue to support the administration of Criminal Justice Act in order to promote effective management of criminal justice, quick dispensation of justice as well as protection of the rights of suspects.

The law, when fully operational, will ensure that a criminal trial begins and ends within four to six months instead of the former practice of between 12 to 15 years.

Fuel Scarcity: Imo Lawmakers Set Up Taskforce To Check Marketers

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The Imo State House of Assembly has set up a joint taskforce to monitor independent oil marketers and ensure that they stop taking undue advantage of the present fuel scarcity.

While the fuel scarcity persisted, the lawmakers said it was concerned about the groaning agony faced by Imo citizens in getting fuel, as oil marketers had exploited the masses.

The taskforce is made up of some lawmakers, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Independent Petroleum Marketers, and Ministry of Petroleum in the state.

They were also mandated to see how the fuel crisis in the state could be alleviated.

At a meeting with all stakeholders in the oil sector held at the Imo state House of Assembly in Owerri, the Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum in the Imo State House of Assembly, Henry Ezediaro, expressed displeasure with the sharp practices by independent oil marketers.

The meeting pointed out that oil marketers were selling petrol at 200 Naira and above which is far above the Federal Government’s approved price of 87 Naira.

They also pointed out that the DPR in the state had not lived up to expectation in sanctioning erring oil marketers who hoard fuel or sell above the government’s approved price.

After the meeting, the Zonal Operations Controller of the DPR in the state, Andy Akpamgbo, told reporters that the DPR in the state would not hesitate to sanction any erring petrol station.

Senate Committee Gives Petroleum Minister Two Weeks To End Fuel Scarcity

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The Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream has given the Minister of State for Petroleum and the NNPC two weeks to end petrol scarcity in the country.

The committee handed down this directive at a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Petroleum, NNPC and agencies in the petroleum sector.

For nearly three weeks, there have been long queues at different petrol stations across the country; a situation that has defied solutions by previous administrations and has again reared its head a few months into the present government.

The heads of the agencies explained the reason for the problem in the petroleum downstream sector which they say have made petrol scarcity a recurring problem in the country.

The problems which the head of petroleum agencies identified as being responsible for the recurring problem of fuel scarcity are not new. They are the same problems which the agencies identify almost every time they have appeared before the Senate in the past few years.

The Managing Director of the PPMC, Mrs Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, highlighted issues with petroleum marketers, pipeline vandalism, sharp practices at depots and diversion of fuel.

Members of the committee sought to find out the real issues including the outstanding amount owed petroleum marketers, noting that if the present administration does not address these issues head on, the problem of petrol scarcity might continue for a very long time.

The head of the Senate committee, Senator Uche Ekwunife, then directed the officials of the Ministry and the NNPC to find ways to put an end to the fuel crisis with the next two weeks.

“Nigerians want to see the immediate end to this fuel scarcity and also the uniformity of the price of the product across the country.

“As a committee, our target is that scarcity and discrepancies in price must stop and it must be done.

“Therefore, we are mandating the Minister, the Permanent Secretary and other relevant agencies in the sector, that fuel scarcity must stop in the next two weeks.

“Petrol must be sold at the uniform price of N87 per litre everywhere in the country,” she said.

Jennifer Lawrence to direct chemical warfare film

BBC News

Actress Jennifer Lawrence is to move behind the camera to direct her first film, about US military experiments in mind-altering chemical weapons.

Lawrence told Entertainment Weekly she had signed up to direct the movie, titled Project Delirium.

It is based on a 2012 New Yorker story about the controversial Army research.

Lawrence said: "It's based on this article about mental warfare in the '60s, like an acid experiment gone terribly wrong."

The star won an Oscar in 2013 for starring in Silver Linings Playbook, and has been nominated two further times, for American Hustle and Winter's Bone.

She can currently be seen in the final instalment of The Hunger Games series, Mockingjay Part Two.

'I feel ready'

"I have wanted to direct as long as I've wanted to act," she said. "I just don't talk about it because I'd rather just do it."

She added: "I've wanted to direct since I was 16 and always thought I should start making steps towards that. If I had tried to do it earlier, I wouldn't have been ready. Now I actually feel ready."

Project Delirium is expected to tell the story of research carried out by Colonel James S Ketchum, who tested psychoactive chemicals on around 2,500 soldiers in the belief that such agents could be used to incapacitate enemies.

However, many of the volunteers have since claimed the experiences led to a range of mental and physical health problems.

In 2013, a Californian judge ruled that those who took part were entitled to more information about the chemicals they were exposed to, but not entitled to additional government-funded medical care, the New Scientist reported at the time.

Angelina Jolie chairs Cambodia film festival panel

BBC News

Angelia Jolie is giving her support to Cambodia's film festival by serving as president of the honorary committee at this year's event.

Festival adviser Cedric Eloy said Jolie would provide moral support and "bring attention to the rebirth of the Cambodian film industry".

The Hollywood star is currently in Cambodia directing her latest movie.

"Cambodia's rich history, long culture and talented people mean it has a huge amount to offer," said Jolie.

She added: "I'm proud to support the Cambodia International Film Festival and Cambodia as a home for vibrant and innovative film-making."

The festival will be held in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, from 4-10 December and will screen 130 films from 34 countries.

First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers, about the Khmer Rouge, is released on Netflix next year.

Image copyrightFilm Publicity

Image captionJolie's current release is By the Sea, which she directed and stars in with husband Brad Pitt

The film is an adaptation of a memoir by Cambodian author and human rights activist Luong Ung's memoir of the same name, published in 2000.

It recounts Ung's personal experiences of life under the Maoist regime, a time which saw more than 1.7 million people executed, including many film-makers, writers and artists, and left Cambodia's film industry was devastated.

Unlike her latest release, By the Sea, Jolie is only directing this new venture, not starring in it too.

By the Sea, a film that has come in for much criticism from industry commentators, marks Jolie's third time behind the camera since Unbroken, in 2014 and In The Land of Blood and Honey (2011).

It is the first film in which she has co-starred with husband Brad Pitt since 2005's Mr & Mrs Smith.

The film is released in the UK on 11 December.

US DJ Casey Kasem's children sue stepmother for wrongful death

BBC News

Three of US DJ Casey Kasem's children and his brother have sued the late star's widow for wrongful death in the latest move in a bitter family feud.

The lawsuit accuses Jean Kasem of elder abuse and inflicting emotional distress on Kasem's children by restricting their access to him before his death, according to the AP news agency.

Kasem was known as host of the American Top 40 radio show and as the voice of Shaggy in the TV animation Scooby Doo.

He died last June at the age of 82.

He had been suffering from dementia, and the battle between his children from a previous marriage and their stepmother Jean began before his death.

They claim she abused him before he died, moved him from Santa Monica to Washington without telling them and, after his death, had him buried in an unmarked grave in Norway despite his wishes to be laid to rest in Los Angeles.

Image copyrightGetty Images

Image captionJean and Casey Kasem were married for more than 30 years

"What she did to my father is reprehensible," daughter Kerri Kasem said, according to AP. "It's disgusting. It's horrific."

Jean Kasem's lawyer H Michael Soroy did not immediately return a request for comment to the news agency.

Kerri Kasem said the family members were taking legal action after US prosecutors decided not to bring criminal charges against Jean Kasem, who was married to the star for more than 30 years.

In May, Los Angeles prosecutors said they could not prove at trial that her actions led to his death.

Kerri has taken out the lawsuit with siblings Julie and Michael Kasem and their uncle Mouner. They are seeking damages of $250,000 (£166,000).

But Kerri Kasem said: "We would rather see her in jail than receive one dime. We don't care about the money. We care about justice."

Casey Kasem began his career in the 1950s and found fame with the chart programme in the 1970s.

He famously ended his broadcasts with his signature sign-off: "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars."

Sony to pay staff $8m compensation over cyber attack

BBC News

A US judge has granted approval to a settlement of up to $8m (£5m) damages between Sony and employees affected by the 2014 hack of the firm's computers.

Sony agreed to reimburse current and former staff up to $10,000 each to cover costs related to identity theft.

Hackers "Guardians of Peace" broke into Sony computers in November in an attempt to halt the release of North Korean-focused comedy The Interview.

The US government put the blame on North Korea for the security breach.

Full sign-off for the compensation package was scheduled for March.

The hackers gained access to the firm's network and stole huge amounts of internal information, including emails and copies of films, such as Annie, that had not yet been released.

According to court papers, employees affected by the cyber attack sued Sony in December last year, alleging the company failed to protect the personal information of its workforce.

The settlement agreement calls for a $4.5m (£2.9m) fund to reimburse the complainants, and up to $3.5m (£2.3m) for legal fees. In addition, Sony would provide identity protection to former employees for two years.

Email embarrassment

Following the attack on its computers, Sony cancelled the planned release of The Interview, which depicted the fictional assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.

One of the highest-profile victims of the cyber attack was Sony's co-chair Amy Pascal, one of the most powerful women in Hollywood.

Ms Pascal was one of the champions of the film The Interview.

Among her leaked emails was one reportedly commenting on the viewing habits of President Obama in a derogatory manner.

Ms Pascal later resigned after apologising and was replaced by Tom Rothman, a Hollywood veteran, who had previously worked for Twentieth Century Fox and TriStar Productions.

Although Sony did withdraw The Interview before its planned release, it ultimately made it available to view online and allowed it to be shown at some cinemas.

The film made about $15m (£9.6m) through downloads alone over its first three days of distribution in the US.

It was later released in the UK in 200 cinemas and has now made a total of $11.3m (£7.5m) worldwide at the box office.

Investor confidence returns to Asian markets

BBC News

Asian stock markets were mostly higher as worries surrounding the downing of a Russian warplane by Turkey eased.

In Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed up 0.5% at 19,944.41.

Shares in car making giant Toyota rose 1.1% despite the firm saying on Wednesday it was recalling another 1.6 million vehicles equipped with faulty air bags.

The Japanese car maker has recalled nearly 15 million vehicles fitted with the bags since 2013.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index ended flat at 22,488.94, while China's Shanghai Composite index fell 0.3% to 3,635.55.

Trading in the mainland market has become choppier ahead of a series of initial public offerings that will begin next week, analysts said.

South Korea's Kospi index closed up 1.06% at 2,030.68.

Australian banks

Sydney's benchmark S&P/ASX 200 was up more than 1% in morning trade, helped by banking shares, but eventually closed 0.3% higher at 5,210.70.

Analysts said that while other markets were trading sideways, money was rotating back into the country's banks as investors looked for income.

"The big four banks are flying today," IG market strategist Chris Weston told the BBC.

Shares in Commonwealth Bank of Australia - the country's biggest lender - closed up 1.5%.

Westpac finished the trading day up 1.2%, while National Australia Bank and ANZ closed up about 0.4%.

"When there's sideways trading in many global markets - traders want to be paid to be in a position and so we tend to see moves into the banks for yield," Mr Weston said.

"There are some risks because of the housing market, which is starting to show some vulnerability, but at the moment, bank shares are the best way to pick up yield."

The so-called big four lenders make up some 30% of Australia's stock market and are regarded as highly profitable. They came through the financial crisis relatively unscathed.

Australia's 'productivity hurt by mental health issues'

BBC News

Mental illness hurts Australia's productivity and services need to be overhauled, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says.

Mr Turnbull unveiled a new system that he said would give better care to patients.

The system would allow more use of technology and a focus on tailored care over a standardised approach, he said.

Australia spends around A$10b (£4.7b; $7.3b) each year on mental health services.

"Mental illness gnaws away at participation, it gnaws away at productivity," Mr Turnbull said.

The new strategy, which will be rolled out over three years from 2016, comes after a review critical of Australia's current mental health system.

Services such as hotlines will be streamlined and local health offices will be able to commission their own care plans for patients with complex needs.

Mental health advocacy groups have welcomed the decision.

Day-night Test: Smith & McCullum excited at 'creating history

BBC Sports

Cricket's first day-night Test using a pink ball is an "exciting concept", says Australia captain Steve Smith.

Australia and New Zealand play under floodlights at the Adelaide Oval in a bid to boost attendances.

"I can't wait to get out and give it a crack," said 26-year-old Smith. "We are creating history."

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum echoed Smith's enthusiasm as he said day-night Tests could be "outstanding for the game moving forward".

More from cricket
Phillip Hughes: Stuart Broad on how cricket has changed
Can floodlights save Test cricket?

The match will be the third and final Test of the series between the two countries, with Australia leading 1-0.

"I'm sure a lot of people are going to be watching around the world and I think that is really exciting for world cricket," added Smith.

"The crowds have rolled in. The first two Tests were a little bit disappointing with the crowds but there are some big numbers expected for at least the first three days here."

How different is a day/night Test?

A pink ball, which has been designed to be visible in natural light and under floodlights, will be used but all other playing conditions remain unaltered for the match.

"I think people are voting with their feet," said McCullum, with a crowd of 50,000 expected for the first day.

"They are encouraged by what the pink ball test match has to offer.

"And for us to play in front of 40,000-odd people in a Test match is pretty amazing, so we're really, really excited about it.

"Hopefully it goes off brilliantly and there's no challenges, no problems.

"If we have that final session on the fifth day under lights, and a Test match result is in the balance, then I think that it could be anything for Test cricket."

'I know it will be under the microscope'

John Stephenson, head of cricket at the Marylebone Cricket Club, which is the guardian of the laws of the game, hopes the day-night format can expand to other countries on the back of this match.

"My hope is first and foremost that more people come to watch. I don't think it should be judged solely on this Test match," he said.

"What I'd like to see is other Test nations look to embrace it.

"I don't think broadcasters really want Test cricket played to empty stadia."

Phillip Hughes tribute

Phillip Hughes played 26 Test matches for Australia

The opening day of the Test will mark a year to the day that Australia batsman Phillip Hughes passed away after being struck by a bouncer during a domestic match.

A tribute to Hughes will be played on the big screen during the first break at the Adelaide Oval.

"A year on we still have Hughesie in the back of our minds every time we walk out on to the field," said Smith.

"It's a tough time for his family and friends and we respect that. Hopefully, we can have a good week for Phillip."

Man films narrow bushfire escape in South Australia

BBC News

An Australian man has filmed his terrifying trip through the heart of a bushfire.

George Hooker told the BBC he was driving near Hamley Bridge in South Australia when smoke and flames engulfed his car.

He kept filming on his phone with one hand even as the fire front raced towards him.

Two people have died and 13 hospitalised in the fires burning north of Adelaide.

"There were flames licking at the car, cinders and twigs blowing up against it," Mr Hooker said.

"If I stopped I would have been dead so I just kept going not really thinking much at all."

Image copyrightGetty Images

Image captionSmoke rises from a burning farm building north of Adelaide in South Australia

He eventually reached a burnt-out area further south on the Horrocks Highway and stopped his car.

As he watched, a house burnt to the ground over the course of 10 minutes, he said.

Having been told by police that he could drive on, he continued on his way to Adelaide.

Fire's toll

South Australia's Country Fire Service said on Thursday the fire was not yet under control and properties remained at risk.

Sixteen homes have been destroyed along with cars, farm buildings and machinery.

Allan Tiller, 69, has been identified as one of the fire's victims. The other, a 56-year-old woman from Hamley Bridge, has not yet been named.

South Australian Premier Jay Wetherill said at a press conference that the government would provide relief grants of up to $700 Australian dollars ($505; £335) for families affected by the fires.

Mr Wetherill said the damage toll was expected to rise.