Feeling down? Taking a break from Facebook may help

IANS Dec 21, 2016, 06.04 PM IST

NEW YORK: If you are feeling blue and cannot figure out why, taking an occasional break from Facebook might do wonders, suggests a research. 

The study showed that regular use of social networking such as Facebook can negatively affect your emotional well-being and satisfaction with life, but you do not have to quit Facebook altogether. Simply changing your social networking behaviour and taking an occasional break from Facebook may lift your spirits, said the study published in the journal Cyber psychology, Behaviour, and Social Networking. 

In the study, Morten Tromholt  from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, described an experiment in which he gave more than 1,000 participants a pre-test and then randomly assigned them to one of two conditions -- continue using Facebook as usual or stop using Facebook for a week.

After one week without Facebook, the treatment group showed statistically significant improvement in well-being, with gains varying depending on the amount of time they previously spent on Facebook and whether or not they were passive users and tended to envy others on Facebook. 

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/56101469.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

What is a prayer?

*I loved this interpretation of Prayer.*

Prayer doesn't just happen when we kneel or put our hands together and focus and expect things from God.

*Thinking positive and wishing good for others is a prayer.*

When you hug a friend.

*That's a prayer.*

When you cook something to nourish family and friends.

*That's a prayer.*

When we send off our near and dear ones and say, 'drive safely' or 'be safe'.

*That's a prayer.*

When you are helping someone in need by giving your time and energy.

*You are praying.*

When you forgive someone by your heart.

*That is prayer.*

*Prayer is a vibration. A feeling. A thought. Prayer is the voice of love, friendship, genuine

relationships. Prayer is an expression of your silent being.*

So? Did you pray today??🙂

Keep praying always... Stay Blessed🙏🏼

Russian ambassador to Turkey shot dead, gunman shouted 'Don't forget Aleppo'

Last updated on: December 20, 2016 01:40 IST

Russia has described the killing of Andrey Karlov at an art exhibition in

Ankara as a terror attack.

A gunman assassinated Russia’s ambassador to Turkey on Monday, shouting ‘Don’t

forget Aleppo’ as he opened fire on Andrey Karlov at an art exhibition in Ankara.

Russia’s foreign ministry described the shooting, which was captured on video, as a

“terror attack.”

“We are currently in contact with Turkish authorities, who are assuring us that a

thorough, comprehensive investigation will be conducted,” foreign ministry

spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in remarks broadcast on Russian television.

“Murderers will be punished. Terrorism won’t sustain. We’ll fight it.”

Drama unfolded when Ambassador Andrey Karlov, 62, was giving a speech at the

opening ceremony of a photo exhibition.

The shooter, now identified as on social media as Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş, 22, an off-duty police officer from the Ankara special forces department, repeatedly shot Karlov in the back at close range, shouting: “We die in Aleppo, you die here!” Altintas was later shot dead by police, according to local media.The horrific scene was caught on camera by journalists at the gallery to cover the event.

  

Footage shows the gunman, dressed in a suit and tie, pacing the gallery while brandishing a gun in one hand and waving the other in the air.It is believed he used his police ID to bypass security staff at the exhibition. One pro-Kremlin news website reported that Karlov was shot 11 times.

The fatal attack follows days of protests in Turkey over Russia’s role in Syria. 

The shooting of the ambassador is the latest in a long string of attacks in Turkey this

year, although it’s the first in recent memory to be directed at a foreign dignitary.

The United States condemns the gun attack on the Russian ambassador to Turkey

earlier on Monday, the US State Department said. 

“We condemn this act of violence, whatever its source,” said US State Department

spokesman John Kirby in a statement, “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his

family.”

How co-op societies outsmart the taxman

Financial Intelligence Unit data show many of these societies have become the biggest draw for laundering money. Subhomoy Bhattacharjee reports.

The income-tax department, believe it or not, is still working on cases pending from the demonetisation of currency notes in 1978. The cases are sensitive enough to be handled at the level of members of the Central Board of Direct Taxes.

Thirty-eight years later, the office which puts up those files as “work connected with High Denomination Bank Notes (Demonetisation) Act, 1978,” is that of member (investigation).

It is this same office that is also responsible for organising the current spate of countrywide raids on cachés of illegal currency notes in the present round of demonetisation. A former board member of the I-T department said it’s the time spent on such legacy issues that scuttle the effectiveness of the puny I-T investigation department to focus on emerging ones.

The biggest of those emerging issues the department is struggling with, in the current demonetisation exercise, is the risk posed by the non-credit cooperative societies. Data pouring in from the Financial Intelligence Unit of the revenue department is repeatedly showing this.

But, tax officials have little room to prise open the finances of these societies, as there are hardly any tax provisions to tap them. Yet, the FIU data show many of these societies have become the biggest draw for laundering money.

The tax department is working to push amendments in the laws to deal with them. But, even as they are rushing to plug the gap, the strong political lobby, which the cooperatives run, is racing to outflank them.

According to the government’s open data platform, there are 266,401 such non-credit cooperative societies. But this number keeps on changing. For the tax departments, these institutions are a headache as they are adept at masking cash transactions. Their reach is particularly strong among the prosperous states, making them a valuable gateway.

The FIU data is based on suspicious transactions report thrown up by bank records. A government official explained that as district cooperative banks have not been allowed the option to exchange notes, the cooperative societies, which often run their deposits with the former, have had to approach the scheduled banks. “The amount of money that has come to banks from the cooperative societies is massive,” said one of the officials.

There are two sources through which several of these societies would have run up the cash. They could have either generated it from their business or they would have the money deposited by their members as cash. There is no rule that prevents cooperative societies from receiving any amount of deposits from their members, which can be shown as borrowing.

As Association of Persons, they can deposit the same with a bank under the signature of the society without any limit. The interest income on such borrowing is tax deductible even though the societies are treated on a par with enterprises, according to the Companies Act. It is consequently very attractive for people with high cash trove caught on the wrong foot on November 8 to have cut deals to park those.

Since there are no norms for their nomenclature, some of these institutions brazenly describe themselves as bank. One of the largest ones based at Kozhikode in Kerala describes itself as belonging to ‘Class 1 Special Bank’, with deposits of above Rs 800 crore. There is no such bank category prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India. As the open government data source shows, most of these societies operate in Maharashtra, followed by Gujarat and Karnataka. Since many of them are also involved in agricultural activities, their income is largely tax exempt.

Meanwhile, their close cousins, the district cooperative banks, have impleaded themselves among the batch of public interest litigation in the Supreme Court against demonetisation. These banks want the right to exchange notes and hand out money to the public from the deposits made by them on a par with the scheduled commercial banks.

Their interest in being allowed to do so is obvious. Many of them had allowed their members to deposit money in old tenders. But, using the plea of dual regulations, the RBI has so far not allowed this sluice gate to open.

The RBI has always taken the stand that while the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, is applicable to these cooperative banks, the management-related functions continue to be regulated by the respective state governments and so there is a dual regulation and consequent moral hazard in their operations. But, the non-credit cooperative societies have no such encumbrances to be saddled with and this is where money laundering is supposedly happening, big time.

As the director-general of income-tax (intelligence) under the member (investigation) takes on this mammoth responsibility, it finds itself with only 20 officers at the all-India level to undertake this task, according to the department’s own data. There are, of course, state-level directors of investigation to help them, but with such a short staff strength, it is no wonder that cases from the last round of demonetisation are still pending with the department.

10 things only Indian parents tell their kids

If you are Indian and live with your parents, says Divya Nair, there is no way in hell you can avoid their interference in the tiniest aspects of your life.

In India, according to a recent survey (external link), 80% young urban Indians live with their parents.

The reasons, as one can understand, are aplenty --

emotional bonding, parampara (tradition), high cost of renting an independent place etc.

But most of all: Convenience.

What's better than a life where the smallest details are looked after by Mummy Dearest, Papaji or your devoted siblings?

Even at the cost of a wee bit of personal space.

For most of us, who live in small city homes, these are the little sacrifices we make for the unconditional love of our beloved parents.

Even so... there are bound to be some awkward-to-annoying situations and questions that also come with this beautiful experience.

1. Kitna kamate ho? (How much do you earn?)

If you grow up in a typical Indian household you are constantly compared to your topper classmate.

From exam marks to your current annual package, parents tend to unknowingly make you feel inferior about your talent and capabilities.

'Look at her/him, s/he is working in Google and you are working in an IT company whose name my 10th pass neighbour cannot pronounce!'

If you dare you tell them you were the star performer of the year at work, they will provide you with enough reasons to further hate your best friend at Google.

2. Ghar kab aaoge? (When will you come home?)

You have reached the bus/metro/suburban railway station and updated your mother about your exact latitude and longitude.

Three minutes later, you get a follow up call. "Where are you right now?" "Arre, three minutes away from where I was last Mummyji."

You are in an important midday meeting and you take your parent's call, thinking it must be something urgent.

"What time will you come home today?" Wait a minute, does your watch show an ETA?

Sometimes you don't know if your parents are really concerned or just want to spy on you.

How about a GPS device that sends alerts every 0.00002 seconds?

3. Shaadi kab karoge? (When do you plan to marry and settle down?)

Ask any single Indian in their 20s and they'll tell you how much they blame the Supreme Court for fixing the minimum marriageable age at 18.

The degree of concern, from your parents, to get you hooked to someone appropriate, is directly proportional to your age.

Actually wildly proportional yaani increasing light years faster than your age.

And what's the meaning of settling down?

Does anyone ever settle down?

4. Dinner me kya khaoge?(What shall you have in Dinner)

It is 3 pm. You have just finished lunch at work; maybe you haven't even burped.

But you get a phone call from your mother and she asks you the penultimate question of the day: Beta, dinner mein kya khaoge?

Paneer ya anda bhurji? Roti ya chawal?

Forget choosing an option, you are already losing your appetite.

5. Kiska phone tha? (Who were you speaking to?)

So you are having this long, interesting, telephone conversation with a colleague/dear friend in a quiet corner of your home.

You are giggling, whispering, even talking in code language.

You don't notice that A Parent is watching you from The Corner Of His Eye and simultaneously checking the time on the wall clock.

If this person happens to call you at a certain time every day, your parents may happily even answer the call in your micro-second absence, before putting you on.

As soon as you hang up, you'll face this question: Kiska phone tha?

God forbid, if it is someone from the opposite sex. You'll see a different side to your parents that day.

6. Hamare saat chaloge? (Will you come with us?

Beta, *insert any family/get together occasion* chaloge?

It doesn't matter if you have no memory meeting this distant aunt's brother's wife's second cousin, who loved squeezing your cheeks blue when you were 2.

Point is, this cousin has a daughter who is getting married and your parents are invited.

As your sentimental parent's obedient child, you are expected to be at this close relative's life-changing event.

And obedient, loving kids, in India, tag along with their parents to random weddings and family reunions.

No questions asked; none answered.

7. Please speak to Uncle X

For a certain part of India, festivals means calling up relatives and exchanging season's greetings.

But for young India, festivals are eagerly anticipated as occasions to sleep in longer.

If you are living with your parents, there is no way you can escape that one phone call from a distant relative who wants to hear your dulcet voice.

If you tell them you'll call them later, your mom will first make a sad basset hound puppy face, then widen her eyes in an attempt to threaten.

Before you know it, you are already speaking to Uncle X.

8. Kitna kharch karte ho! (How much you splurge!)

The first time you receive a packet from an e-commerce company, your parents will receive it with reluctance and dissect its contents.

Repeat that multiple times a month and be prepared to face this unnecessary situation: "Kitna kharcha karte ho! Kuch future ke liye save kiya hai ya sirf kapde, joote aur mobile hi khareedte rahoge? (How will you save for your future if you keep spending on clothes, shoes and mobile phones?)

Don't even bother explaining that now you are independent and/or you are earning a six figure salary.

9. When I was your age...

If comparing you with that thick-rimmed specs (naturally) nerd/prodigy of your class all through school and college wasn't bad enough, your father time and again compares your achievements (or lack of it) with his successes when he was your age and had much fewer resources.

How he came to the city with no shoes, had no money in his pocket, slept on the footpath, had no godfather he could turn to...

At first you feel inspired that your dad is a self-made man.

30 years later, when you are reminded that you are a failure because you haven't even invested in a 1 BHK yet, you begin to feel a wee bit guilty.

10. Maine kaha tha... (I told you so...!)

Don't you dare ask how... but one of your parents always knew you were going to miss that train or that best friend of yours was going to cheat on you or...

Any unfortunate event in your life comes with the mandatory 'I told you so' followed by a long list of mistakes you have made and the times you didn't listen to your parents and did something stupid.

Did we miss something? Tell us the tired ol' one-liners you put up listening to from The Parents.

Share them in the message board below.

Divya Nair / Rediff.com

Read: 5 career rules that make no sense

Following rules is very much like walking with horse blinds -- which is fine considering those rules have been made by you. If not, then it's as good as walking blind.

When you're at crossroads in your career, it is only natural to fall back on the advice of those who are more experienced. But it is also necessary to remember that your situation is unique to you, and therefore, you're at liberty to not follow the advice.

Here is a list of some of the most restricting of those rules that, although with an intention to guide, can be harming your career.

Rule 1. You should stick to one company for as long as possible

We know. You're worried about your resume.

No one wants to branded as a quitter, and jumping jobs can communicate that reputation from your resume. But after having worked at a company (for more or even less than a year), you may have realised that there's nothing else it has to offer you, that there is nothing left to learn from it.

If you love your job and are committed to it, then it's a different matter altogether. Otherwise, it may be time to breathe some life into that resume.

Experience doesn't always count in number of years; it also amounts to the variety of jobs you've handled.

This always makes a handsome resume.

If you hate your job, you can ignore this rule of 'sticking it out' if the alternative can promise something better.

Rule 2. Don't leave a job before having one ready

Yes, we all like to have a safety net ready, it's only natural. This rule exists because people are afraid that if finding a new job takes time (which it can), the gap can scar the resume.

Most times, money is also an intimidating factor as many might not be in a position to afford the loss of a regular income. There are times when staying at a job you hate can become unbearable.

You might have to quit out of necessities as well. At times like this, it's really okay to not have that safety line.

You'll actually be better motivated to look for a job when you're out of one.

On the plus side, this alternative comes with an added benefit of time, which you can utilise to chase after better prospects.

Finances can always be managed and resumes always worked on. So don't hesitate to follow your impulses as they can take you to something better.

Rule 3. If you have to change paths, you have to start at the bottom

This is an understandable notion since a learning curve always needs a starting point, and considering that you're attempting something new, that may have to be at the bottom.

But here's why you can toss out this rule -- the years of experience that you've gained at the previous company will have something valuable to offer to the new one.

Using these skills -- be it your tact with handling clients, product management, or networking -- you can negotiate your way up a few steps of the ladder.

Don't give all the power to your resume because there's only so much it can communicate.

When you take the initiative to talk to people in the business, set up meetings, and showcase the skills you have to offer, opportunities will materialise before you.

Rule 4. Only apply for positions you're qualified for

While applying for a new job, you may come across many companies whose job requirements you don't meet.

While they seem like stringent rules that convince you to back away, job requirements are really just guidelines that a company is required to present to applicants.

Employers understand that every job has a learning curve. So even someone with all those qualifications ticked off will still need to learn the ways of the company.

This means that in reality, all job applicants are pretty much in the same boat, with or without necessary qualifications.

Employers look out for appropriate attitude and a willingness to learn while hiring, so you might just get a job over someone better qualified or experienced but with a bad attitude.

So write up an awesome cover letter and start applying generously.

Rule 5. Going back to college is a bad move

This is something that many still hesitate to do. Whether you're changing career paths or are simply looking to pick up new skills, leaving the comfort of a job and heading back to college is a bold move.

It's usually frowned upon because it implies that you're willingly foregoing your responsibility as a working adult. But if education is something you really want or something that you think you need, then simply go for it.

The urge to educate oneself can be quite strong and usually comes with a good reason.

Once you have the practicalities of savings and loans figured out, there really is no valid reason for why you should not get back to studying.

There are a lot of dos and don'ts when it comes to career decisions, but they may not all be in your best interest.

It doesn't hurt to tweak them a little bit and personalise them according to your needs. Some of these may seem like risks, but can one expect any growth at all without them?

From Rediffmail.com

Real Estate Act’s rules notified: What it means for buyers and builders

The union government of India recently notified the rules under the Real Estate Regulation Act, which will be applicable to the five union territories. Now, all the states are expected to notify their own rules, in the near future. 

However, the question that remains, is whether the rules will meet the expectations of home buyers and the realty sector. Although numerous promises have been made over the years, not much has moved forward, from ideation to actual implementation of policies, asserts Rohit Poddar, managing director of Poddar Housing and Development Limited. “A fair Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), should hold both, buyers and developers accountable and ensure transparency in the real estate development space. It will help developers to become more fiscally prudent and focus on delivery timelines. 

There is clearly a trust deficit between customers and developers and this trust deficit will hopefully, be bridged very soon, thereby, benefitting the entire industry,” adds Poddar. See also: Should you buy a house now or wait for the Real Estate Regulation Act? Key features of the rules notified under the Real Estate Regulation Act Developers have to open an escrow account for all sales proceeds and use this account for all payments for the particular project. 70% of the money collected, has to remain in the escrow account, to facilitate all project-related expenses and the rest of the money can be taken out by the developer to use as they deem fit. There is an interest penalty for delayed possession that is imposed on the developer. 

Projects can only be launched, upon receiving the relevant approvals from the concerned authorities. These approvals have to be put up on the RERA website, along with all the pertinent project details and the project has to be approved by the regulatory authority. Customers can log onto the RERA website, to see the project’s details. Sale of properties will strictly be on the basis of carpet area. Any grievance/complaint has to be resolved by the state’s real estate regulatory authority, within 60 days. Can the RERA fulfil home buyers’ and builders’ expectations?

Dhaval Ajmera, director of Ajmera Realty, feels that “Transparency and trust factor will automatically increase, as it will become mandatory for developers to post all information pertaining to the project’s plan, layout, government approvals, land title status, sub-contractors to the project and schedule for completion, with the state real estate regulatory authorities. This law will act as a regulator, to govern both residential and commercial real estate transactions.” Tier-2 and tier-3 markets, where a lot of consumers have lost their money in the past, will again see a spurt in investments. Moreover, FII investment and FDI investment into real estate, will also grow. While the notification of the rules, is definitely a step in the right direction, the success of the Real Estate Act, will depend on its implementation, maintains Boman Irani, vice-president of MCHI-CREDAI. “However, we should always remember that this act is intended to safeguard the consumers and it should never be treated as a tool to only penalise people,” concludes Irani. “RERA should be implemented in its true spirit and not become another centre for corruption, harassment and delays. The government should ensure speedy and correct implementation of the Act” Rohit Poddar, managing director of Poddar Housing and Development Limited. “RERA, is a blessing in disguise for the entire sector, as it will regularise the purchase process and improve transparency” Dhaval Ajmera, director of Ajmera Realty.By: Housing.com/news 

Read more at: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/real-estate/real-estate-act%E2%80%99s-rules-notified-what-it-means-for-buyersbuilders_8128341.html?utm_source=ref_article

Demonetisation and digital transactions will never stop corruption in India. Here's why

By ET CONTRIBUTORS | Updated: Dec 17, 2016, 03.02 PM IST by Manoj Gairola 

If digital transactions could curb corruption and black money , Kenya would have been the most transparent country in the world. About 75% of the adult population in Kenya uses mobile phones for payments and money transfer. The value of mobile money transactions and transfers per day is equal to 4.5% of annualised GDP of Kenya, as per a report published in an International Monetary Fund (IMF) journal. 

The use of mobile money is so widespread that Kenyans can use mobile wallet to pay for goods at virtually any retail shop throughout the country .This is something that the Indian government aspires to achieve post-demonetisation. 

However, Kenya was listed as one of the world's most corrupt countries in Transparency International's 2015 Corruption Perception Index, ranking 139 out of 168. 

Corruption is so prevalent in Kenya that its team participated in the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics in mismatched uniform.Reason? The officials had allegedly sold a part of the kit that Nike provided to the National Olympic Committee of Kenya to distribute to all the athletes. 

Later, Nike lodged an official complaint with the concerned authorities.Had it happened before 2010, the Indian Olympic Committee officials could have got a clue from their Kenyan counterparts while organising the 2010 Commonwealth Games. 

The same is true for other African countries such as Tanzania and Zimbabwe where digital transactions are very high but the countries figure low on transparency index. The Kenyan example is important as the Indian government wants to create a perception that digital transactions would curb black money and corruption. 

Interestingly , it was not part of the original speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8. While announcing that Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes would cease to be legal currency , Modi had said, “This step will strengthen the hands of the common man in the fight against corruption, black money and fake currency... Enemies from across the border run their operations using fake currency notes.“ 

Shifting Focus 

Nowhere did he talk about digital payments. Now, all the ministers, policymakers and government advertisements are focused on digital transactions. This change of narrative is clearly an afterthought. 

In the last few weeks, the government has announced various tax sops and rebates on the use of digital mode of payments. It has set up committees of chief ministers and secretaries to promote digital transactions. 

If the government wants to promote digital transactions it should simply implement its Digital India programme -which has not progressed much in the last two-and-a-half years. 

The vision document of Digital India says that India would become a world leader in digital banking by 2019. It also lists digital empowerment of citizens as an aim of the programme. Let us do a reality check on Digital India. Good connectivity is a basic requirement for its success. That is why Digital India's target is to set up a countrywide optical fibre cable network connecting 2.5 lakh village panchayats by March 2017. 

The target for March 2016 was to connect 100,000 village panchayats. However, only 8,000 village panchay ats could be connected. By this October-end, only 15,000 village panchayats could be connected, thanks to poor project management and flip-flop in policy he delay in laying the optical fibre network is just one issue. If the government has to provide e-education, tele-medicine and e-governance services, it has to do a lot of work that requires digitisation of data and coordination between various ministries. 

Digital India 

If the Digital India programme was going on as per schedule, by now 200,000 village panchayats would have been connected and services such as e-education, e-governance and banking would have been available in remote areas. In modern day banking one needs only a laptop and connectivity with core banking software to work as a bank branch. 

Banking correspondents at village panchayats could have easily acted as mini-bank branches. It could have saved a lot of hardship in remote areas such as Uttarakhand where people travel up to 20-30km to reach their nearest bank branches. The banking correspondents could have easily promoted digital payments and mobile banking .. 

As per the Digital India vision document, it would create 10 crore jobs by 2019. A few crore jobs would have already been created. This should have brought in ` Achche Din'. This is in stark contrast to the current loss of millions of jobs in the unorganised sector due to demonetisation. 

The government brought in demonetisation to stop corruption. However, some bank officials who are responsible for making it successful are themselves involved in changing black money to white through fraudulent means. 

It is clear demonetisation can't stop corruption. The government should strike at the mechanism that is responsible for corruption and generates black money . Similarly, digital transactions can't stop corruption.And demonetisation is not a way to promote mobile payments. 

The government should follow its own Digital India policy to promote a digital society that will include cashless payments. 

Read more at:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/56032014.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

.. 

Donald Trump transition: From Russia with Love!

By IANS | Updated: Dec 17, 2016, 05.56 PM ISTBy Arun Kumar 

WASHINGTON: Hillary Clinton did not lose the White House race to Donald Trump. She was done in by (FBI director James) Comey, the Constitution, and now the Russians! 

That's "just another excuse," said the Republican President-elect, proffered by the Democrats still in denial more than a month after his stunning victory defying pollsters, pundits and prophets. Scoffing at a CIA assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered his spooks to hack into Democratic Party emails to help him win as "ridiculous," Trump dissed it as an attempt to "delegitimise" his election. 

"If Russia, or some other entity, was hacking, why did the White House wait so long to act? Why did they only complain after Hillary lost," he asked as President Barack Obama ordered a review of the alleged hack. "Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card," he tweeted. "It would be called conspiracy theory!" 

"Can you imagine if the election results were the opposite and WE tried to play the Russia/CIA card," he tweeted. "It would be called conspiracy theory!"

"Not much happens in Russia without Vladimir Putin," countered Obama buying his spies' assertion "with a high degree of confidence" that "This happened at the highest levels of the Russian government." 

"We need to take action. And we will - at a time and place of our own choosing," he thundered in an interview. 

Obama also claimed that Moscow had stopped "further tampering of the election process" after he bluntly told Putin to "cut it out" when they met in China" in September. "But the leaks through WikiLeaks had already occurred." 

Though he was careful to not endorse CIA's belief that Russia's goal was to elect Trump, he suggested the Russian hack had created "more problems for the Clinton campaign than it had for the Trump campaign." His spokesman, Josh Earnest, went a step further. "The fact that Russian entities hacked both Democrats and Republicans and only leaked the Democratic information" clearly indicated that it was designed to help Trump, he suggested echoing the spooks. 

The FBI did not agree. Nor did America's spymaster, who oversees 17 US intelligence agencies, saying it was "a thin reed upon which to base an analytical judgement." Clinton, who before the election was "horrified" that Trump may not readily accept the result, too jumped on the Russian bandwagon calling it an "attack against our democracy" prompted by Putin's "personal beef" against her. 

She also doubled down on her previous assertion that Comey's reopening of a probe into her use of a private email server as America's top diplomat 11 days before election led to her defeat. 

Clinton conveniently overlooked the fact that it was what her desi aide Neera Tanden called her "f***ing insane" for using a private server that had prompted the FBI probe in the first place. 

And it was the discovery of thousands of her emails on the laptop of another desi aide Huma Abedin's husband that led to the reopening of the case. Her campaign chief John Podesta, whose private email too was hacked, also renewed his attack on the agency saying "something is deeply broken at the FBI". 

He too ignored the fact that a Democratic Party IT official had reportedly dismissed a warning from a special agent about a possible hack as a prank. 

After its efforts for a recount in three battleground states came a cropper, the Clinton campaign came out in open support of a call by some members of the Electoral Col .. 

Her campaign chief John Podesta, whose private email too was hacked, also renewed his attack on the agency saying "something is deeply broken at the FBI". 

He too ignored the fact that a Democratic Party IT official had reportedly dismissed a warning from a special agent about a possible hack as a prank. 

After its efforts for a recount in three battleground states came a cropper, the Clinton campaign came out in open support of a call by some members of the Electoral College for an intelligence briefing on foreign intervention in the presidential election. 

The move came ahead of the Monday's Electoral College meeting when 538 presidential electors pledged to either Trump or Clinton gather in the 50 state capitols and Washington, DC to formally endorse the outcome in their states. 

Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed," Podesta wrote in effect urging them not to vote as their state did as it has been done since the first election in 1790.

Many of the electors said they have been besieged by phone calls and e-mails to instead vote for Clinton who collected 2.8 million more votes, but lost the electoral vote 306-232 to Trump who emerged victorious in 30 states. 

Yet as the Electoral College heads for its crucial Monday vote, one can say with the "highest degree of confidence" that it would stamp its approval of Trump's election. But let the Democrats dream for another day! 

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