Alberta's 'King Ralph' remembered

Ralph Klein, the colourful and controversial politician who led Alberta for 14 years, is being remembered as a populist leader who never lost his common touch.

The former Alberta premier died surrounded by friends and family in a long-term facility in Calgary on Friday.

"To me, he wasn't King Ralph, as some described him," said Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a news release. "Instead, during a colourful political career he remained Citizen Ralph — a man equally at home in the Petroleum Club as he was in the St. Louis Hotel. A man who said what he believed and did what he said.

'Ralph Klein's ability to connect with Albertans from all walks of life was absolutely remarkable.'— Alberta Premier Alison Redford

"Alberta and Canada have lost a unique and significant leader. While Ralph's beliefs about the role of government and fiscal responsibility were once considered radical, it is perhaps his greatest legacy that these ideas are now widely embraced across the political spectrum."

Klein led Alberta's long-ruling Progressive Conservative Party from 1992 to 2006, presiding over four consecutive majority governments. In the 2001 election, Klein's Conservatives won with 62 per cent of the popular vote — the highest-ever level of support for the party that has led Alberta for more than four decades.

The 70-year-old is survived by his wife, Colleen Klein, five children and grandchildren.

"In his public life, while many will now debate what he stood for, he himself simply believed that public service was important, that it need not be complicated, and that it revolved around people," said Colleen, on behalf of the Klein family.

"In his private life, his greatest gift to his family was that when the long work days were over, and he came home, it was his sanctuary, and the politics stopped at the door.

"The nature of his illness made it very difficult to express his thoughts these past years which I know was a real challenge for him, but Ralph very much knew and appreciated the well wishes and warm messages he received," said Colleen.

'Mayor Klein'

Before entering politics, Klein got his start as a TV reporter and media personality in Calgary. In 1980, he took a shot at that city's mayorship, winning the bid in an upset. He led that city for nine years, including during the 1988 Calgary Olympics.

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said Friday he was deeply saddened to learn of Klein's death.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with his wife, Colleen, and their family in this difficult time," wrote Nenshi in a statement.

"Ralph Klein taught us, as Calgarians, that we don't need to put on airs. We don't need to pretend we're something we are not in order to be a truly great city in this world," Nenshi said.

"The many highlights of his career and political legacy will undoubtedly be shared over the coming days, and many Albertans will mourn him as a beloved former premier. But Calgary was always the city he called home. A true born-and-raised Calgarian, he served as mayor from 1980-1989 and, to me, he will always be Mayor Klein."

A public memorial for Klein will be held at Calgary's Jack Singer Concert Hall on Friday at noon.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford said Friday that Klein's passing is a loss to all Albertans.

"Ralph Klein's ability to connect with Albertans from all walks of life was absolutely remarkable," said Redford.

"He could walk from the Petroleum Club in downtown Calgary to the curling rink in St. Paul and carry on a conversation with absolutely everyone he met. Ralph was a real man of the people."

Not just an Albertan

Former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said he was friends with Klein since the early 1980s and that while the two had their differences, he always found him very fair and co-operative.

"He was [a] populist, close to the people and ... he was not a guy who wanted to play the big shot."

Chrétien saluted Klein for not being brash about Alberta's wealth, saying Klein was aware he was privileged to have resource revenue but showed a great desire to keep Canada united.

The former prime minister said it was always fun to be around Klein because he was not a snob.

"We lost a great guy, Alberta lost a great man and Canada lost a great Canadian too."

Paul Martin, who was in the prime minister's office while Klein was premier and worked with him on improving the Canada Pension Plan, agreed that Klein's legacy extends well beyond Alberta's borders.

"The one thing I always noticed about Ralph Klein was that while he was the premier of Alberta, he was also a great Canadian. He did look for the national interest," Martin said.

"We've lost a Canadian today who has made a major contribution to his country," said Martin.

"He was a lot of fun, he was a great deal of fun. You could talk serious matters, but you didn't have to necessarily wallow in them."

'He had no enemies'

Klein's former chief of staff Rod Love says that in retrospect, there are two things that set Klein apart from other politicians.

"He never lied, ever," Love said. "He never looked you in the eye and lied. And secondly, after 25 years in politics — at the highest levels, mayor, minister of environment, premier of Alberta — he left politics in 2006, he had no enemies. Think about that. When he walked out of the legislature in December of 2006 he had no enemies after a quarter of a century of elective politics. Nobody hated his guts. That's a legacy."

Love says that part of Klein's success was that he knew how to apologize if he made a mistake.

He also says he has no regrets about how Klein's career played out.

"Why would you? It was the greatest ride in Canadian history."

Don Getty, who was premier of Alberta just before Klein, said Friday he admired his successor.

"I found him to be a very warm, very humorous person. Much smarter than a lot of people might have given him credit for being," said Getty.

Alberta Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith called Klein's leadership courageous.

"As a leader, Ralph was tough enough to keep his promises, humble enough to admit his mistakes, and disciplined enough to follow through on his vision."

Smith went on to say it was sad Klein would not be around to offer guidance to a new generation of politicians.

Former Reform party leader Preston Manning called Klein a "man of the people."

"I think part of his attraction to Albertans was that they felt he was one of us. He also, of course, was a strong fiscal conservative and managed to reduce the debt and deficit and taxes at a time when that had to be done. So I think his legacy will be that he left the province stronger than when he came to power and that he endeared himself to an awful lot of Albertans."

[View the story "Prominent Canadians bid farewell to Ralph Klein" on Storify]

Storified by CBC News Community· Fri, Mar 29 2013 15:34:34

Laureen & I join Albertans & Canadians in paying tribute to Ralph Klein. We have lost a unique & significant leader. http://ow.ly/1UgbSwStephen Harper

Very sorry about Ralph Klein's passing - he was an original, a gifted politician and a man without pretense. He will be missed.Bob Rae

Blessings to Premier Klein's family. Ralph was a terrific Canadian. He represented his people with passion and strength. #cdnpoli #abpoliJustin Trudeau, MP

Ralph Klein never ran for national office, but profoundly changed the arc of Canadian politics. In many ways, he was our Thatcher.Jason Kenney

Rest in Peace, Ralph Klein. A great leader who never lost touch with the common sense of the common people. Thank-you for a life of service.Jason Kenney

Condolences to family and friends of former Alta Premier Ralph Klein. 1942-2013. A towering figure in our political life. #cdnpoliElizabeth May MP

I am saddened by the loss of Ralph Klein. May his resilience and dedication live on in our memories.David Johnston

A straight talking leader with vision, capacity for the toughest decisions & a grassroots touch is a very special leader. RIP Ralph KleinBrad Wall

Rest In Peace Ralph Klein. Our sincerest condolences to the Klein family.Mayor Rob Ford

May Premier Klein rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with Colleen and the Klein family. http://alberta.ca/NewsFrame.cfm?ReleaseID=/acn/201303/33897B7AD3B0F-0CE2-D9D7-9DC2E0A0B91D2589.html #ableg #pcaaAlison Redford

Ralph Klein, the hugely popular though often controversial man known as "King Ralph," or just plain Ralph, led Alberta's long-ruling Progressive Conservative Party from 1992 to 2006 and presided over four consecutive majority governments.

The former premier, who died Friday surrounded by family and friends in a Calgary-area long-term care facility, was 70.

CBC News - Interactive - Klein CondolencesRalph Klein: 1942-2013 Guestbook of condolences

With files from the Canadian Press

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U.S. taking North Korea's 'state of war' threats seriously

The White House said Saturday it is taking seriously new threats by North Korea but also noted Pyongyang's history of "bellicose rhetoric."

North Korea warned Seoul on Saturday that the Korean Peninsula had entered "a state of war." It also threatened to shut down a border factory complex that is the last major symbol of co-operation between the Koreas.

"We've seen reports of a new and unconstructive statement from North Korea. We take these threats seriously and remain in close contact with our South Korean allies," said Caitlin Hayden, a spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council. "But, we would also note that North Korea has a long history of bellicose rhetoric and threats, and today's announcement follows that familiar pattern."

North Korea's threats are seen as part of an effort to provoke the new government in Seoul to change its policies toward Pyongyang, and to win diplomatic talks with Washington that could get it more aid. The moves also are seen as ways to build domestic unity as North Korea's young leader, Kim Jong Un, strengthens his military credentials.

In recent days, the U.S. flew a pair of nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers over an uninhabited South Korean island, dropping dummy munitions as part of annual defence drills that North Korea views as rehearsals for an invasion. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel also announced that the U.S. will fortify its defences against a potential North Korean missile attack on the U.S. by adding more than a dozen missile interceptors to the 26 already in place at Fort Greely, Alaska.

'Wartime regulations'

North Korea said in a statement Saturday that it would deal with South Korea according to "wartime regulations" and would retaliate against any provocations by the U.S. and South Korea without notice.

"Now that the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK have entered into an actual military action, the inter-Korean relations have naturally entered the state of war," said the statement, which was carried by the official North Korean news agency and referred to the country by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Provocations "will not be limited to a local war, but develop into an all-out war, a nuclear war," the statement said.

The White House has stressed the U.S. government's capability and willingness to defend itself and its allies and interests in the region, if necessary.

"We remain fully prepared and capable of defending and protecting the United States and our allies," Hayden said.

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Bank of Cyprus big savers to lose up to 60%

Banks in Cyprus opened for normal business for the second day, but with strict restrictions on how much money their clients can access, after being shut for nearly two weeks. (Petros Karajias/Associated Press)

Large depositors at Cyprus' largest bank may be forced to accept losses of up to 60 per cent, far more than initially feared under the European rescue package to save the country from bankruptcy, officials said Saturday.

Deposits of more than 100,000 euros ($128,000) at the Bank of Cyprus would lose 37.5 per cent in money that would be converted into bank shares, according to a finance ministry decree obtained by The Associated Press. In a second raid on these accounts, depositors also could lose up to 22.5 per cent more, depending on what experts determine is needed to prop up the bank's reserves.

Banking and finance ministry officials confirmed these details in interviews with the AP. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to publicly discuss the issue.

The deposits that converted to bank shares would theoretically allow depositors to eventually recover their losses. But the shares now hold little value and it's uncertain when, if ever, the shares will regain a value equal to the depositors' losses.

Europe has demanded that large depositors in the country's two largest banks —Bank of Cyprus and Laiki Bank — accept across-the-board losses in order to pay for the 16 billion euro ($20.5 billion bailout). But officials had previously spoken of a loss to big depositors of 30 to 40 per cent.

Analysts said Saturday that imposing bigger losses on major depositors could further squeeze already crippled businesses as Cyprus tries to rebuild its banking sector in exchange for the international rescue package.

"Most of the damage will be done to businesses which had their money in the bank" to pay suppliers and employees, said University of Cyprus economics Professor Sofronis Clerides. "There's quite a difference lbetween a 30 per cent loss and a 60 per cent loss."

Russians expected to drain accounts

With businesses shrinking, the country could be dragged down into an even deeper recession, he said.

There's also concern that large depositors, including many wealthy Russians, would take their money and run once capital restrictions that Cypriot authorities have imposed on bank transactions to prevent such a possibility are lifted in about a month.

Cyprus agreed on Monday to make bank depositors with accounts over 100,000 euros to contribute to a financial rescue in order to secure 10 billion euros ($12.9 billion) in loans from the eurozone and the International Monetary Fund.

Cyprus needed to scrounge up 5.8 billion euros ($7.4 billion) on its own in order to clinch the larger package, and banks had remained shut for nearly two weeks until politicians hammered out a deal, opening again on Thursday.

But fearing that savers would rush to pull their money out in mass once banks reopened, Cypriot authorities imposed a raft of restrictions including daily withdrawal limits of 300 euros ($384) for individuals and 5,000 euros ($6,400) for businesses — the first so-called capital controls that any country has applied in the eurozone's 14-year history.

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Pope offers Easter prayers for peace

Christians around the world observed Easter Sunday, including a huge gathering at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican led by the new head of the Roman Catholic church, Pope Francis.

After a joyous liturgical celebration attended by some 250,000 people, the new pontiff delivered a message of global peace.

"Dear brothers and sisters, who have come from all over the world to this square, the heart of Christianity, and all of you joining us via communications media, I renew my wishes for a Happy Easter," Francis said.

The Pope went on to plead for "peace for all the world," denouncing warfare and terrorism and what he described as a greedy affluent world looking for "easy gain."

Francis was elected Pope earlier this month after his predecessor, Benedict XVI, became the first pontiff in 600 years to resign.

Jerusalem observances

In Jerusalem, Catholics and Protestants in the Holy Land celebrated Easter with prayers and services.

Worshippers prayed Sunday in the ancient church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, built on the site where tradition holds Jesus was crucified, briefly entombed and then resurrected.

Christians believe Jesus was resurrected on Easter. Roman Catholics and Protestants, who follow the new, Gregorian calendar, celebrate Easter on Sunday. Orthodox Christians, who follow the old, Julian calendar, will mark it in May.

Protestants held Easter ceremonies outside Jerusalem's walled Old City at the Garden Tomb, which some identify as the site of Jesus' burial.

Another service was held at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Jesus' traditional birthplace.

With files from the Associated Press

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Toronto police seek Yorkdale shooting suspects

Updated

• 1 male dead
• 1 seriously injured, in hospital
• 5-6 suspects sought by police
• Incident might be gang related, police say
• Police not naming victims

Were you at Yorkdale Mall ?

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Toronto police are searching today for suspects after one man was killed and a second injured in a shooting at the landmark Yorkdale Shopping Centre in the city's northwest end.

"We are looking for five or six suspects," Toronto police Det. Rob North said.

Shots were fired about 8 p.m. ET Saturday night at the southwest end of the mall, North said.

"The initial confrontation began inside the mall," he said. "There were no shots fired inside the mall. The two groups of individuals left the mall and shots were fired outside of the mall."

Police said it was too early in the investigation to offer any further information about the victims, the suspects or whether the incident might be gang related.

Victim's body removed

The victim's body was removed from the mall early Sunday morning, local media reported. Police have not released a name or age of the male who was killed.

No innocent bystanders were targeted or wounded, North said, though he indicated police believe this was not a random act of violence.

"It's pretty crazy – I don't know," eyewitness Michael Troya told CBC News.

Troya said the shooters "don't have any morals and they don't really care what happens or what people think about them."

The police investigation involved reviewing video footage from the mall and speaking with eyewitnesses.

"There would have been closed circuit television inside the mall and outside, as well," Martin said.

As well, hundreds of vehicles remained cordoned off inside the mall parking lot as part of the investigation.

'Huge crime scene'

"This is a huge crime scene and Yorkdale is a massive mall," the CBC's Louise Martin reported.

"The parking lot is very, very large," she added.

At one point, all the mall exits were closed and hundreds of people were forced to remain inside the mall.

"Like all Torontonians, we were shocked by the incident that occurred," Yorkdale officials posted on the mall's Twitter feed, adding that "we take security at Yorkdale very seriously." In several tweets, mall officials thanked both the police and the public.

The mall, which is closed today because of the Easter Sunday holiday, is a popular location with shoppers with its location along the busy Highway 401 artery in the Toronto's northwest end.

It is not the first time that a shooting has occurred on the mall property.

In April 2009, a security guard was shot while attempting to arrest two robbery suspects. But he was wearing a safety vest that police credited with saving his life.

The incident comes less than a year after a shooting in the city's centre at the Toronto Eaton Centre in which one man died at the scene and another was fatally wounded and died in hospital days later. Five other people were wounded, but survived the shooting.

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Alberta's 'King Ralph' remembered

Ralph Klein, the colourful and controversial politician who led Alberta for 14 years, is being remembered as a populist leader who never lost his common touch.

The former Alberta premier died surrounded by friends and family in a long-term facility in Calgary on Friday.

"To me, he wasn't King Ralph, as some described him," said Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a news release. "Instead, during a colourful political career he remained Citizen Ralph — a man equally at home in the Petroleum Club as he was in the St. Louis Hotel. A man who said what he believed and did what he said.

'Ralph Klein's ability to connect with Albertans from all walks of life was absolutely remarkable.'— Alberta Premier Alison Redford

"Alberta and Canada have lost a unique and significant leader. While Ralph's beliefs about the role of government and fiscal responsibility were once considered radical, it is perhaps his greatest legacy that these ideas are now widely embraced across the political spectrum."

Klein led Alberta's long-ruling Progressive Conservative Party from 1992 to 2006, presiding over four consecutive majority governments. In the 2001 election, Klein's Conservatives won with 62 per cent of the popular vote — the highest-ever level of support for the party that has led Alberta for more than four decades.

The 70-year-old is survived by his wife, Colleen Klein, five children and grandchildren.

"In his public life, while many will now debate what he stood for, he himself simply believed that public service was important, that it need not be complicated, and that it revolved around people," said Colleen, on behalf of the Klein family.

"In his private life, his greatest gift to his family was that when the long work days were over, and he came home, it was his sanctuary, and the politics stopped at the door.

"The nature of his illness made it very difficult to express his thoughts these past years which I know was a real challenge for him, but Ralph very much knew and appreciated the well wishes and warm messages he received," said Colleen.

'Mayor Klein'

Before entering politics, Klein got his start as a TV reporter and media personality in Calgary. In 1980, he took a shot at that city's mayorship, winning the bid in an upset. He led that city for nine years, including during the 1988 Calgary Olympics.

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said Friday he was deeply saddened to learn of Klein's death.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with his wife, Colleen, and their family in this difficult time," wrote Nenshi in a statement.

"Ralph Klein taught us, as Calgarians, that we don't need to put on airs. We don't need to pretend we're something we are not in order to be a truly great city in this world," Nenshi said.

"The many highlights of his career and political legacy will undoubtedly be shared over the coming days, and many Albertans will mourn him as a beloved former premier. But Calgary was always the city he called home. A true born-and-raised Calgarian, he served as mayor from 1980-1989 and, to me, he will always be Mayor Klein."

Klein's family has asked the City of Calgary to organize a public "celebration of life" for Klein and the city said details will be shared as arrangements are made.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford said Friday that Klein's passing is a loss to all Albertans.

"Ralph Klein's ability to connect with Albertans from all walks of life was absolutely remarkable," said Redford.

"He could walk from the Petroleum Club in downtown Calgary to the curling rink in St. Paul and carry on a conversation with absolutely everyone he met. Ralph was a real man of the people."

Not just an Albertan

Former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said he was friends with Klein since the early 1980s and that while the two had their differences, he always found him very fair and co-operative.

"He was [a] populist, close to the people and ... he was not a guy who wanted to play the big shot."

Chrétien saluted Klein for not being brash about Alberta's wealth, saying Klein was aware he was privileged to have resource revenue but showed a great desire to keep Canada united.

The former prime minister said it was always fun to be around Klein because he was not a snob.

"We lost a great guy, Alberta lost a great man and Canada lost a great Canadian too."

Paul Martin, who was in the prime minister's office while Klein was premier and worked with him on improving the Canada Pension Plan, agreed that Klein's legacy extends well beyond Alberta's borders.

"The one thing I always noticed about Ralph Klein was that while he was the premier of Alberta, he was also a great Canadian. He did look for the national interest," Martin said.

"We've lost a Canadian today who has made a major contribution to his country," said Martin.

"He was a lot of fun, he was a great deal of fun. You could talk serious matters, but you didn't have to necessarily wallow in them."

'One of us'

Don Getty, who was premier of Alberta just before Klein, said Friday he admired his successor.

"I found him to be a very warm, very humorous person. Much smarter than a lot of people might have given him credit for being," said Getty.

Alberta Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith called Klein's leadership courageous.

"As a leader, Ralph was tough enough to keep his promises, humble enough to admit his mistakes, and disciplined enough to follow through on his vision."

Smith went on to say it was sad Klein would not be around to offer guidance to a new generation of politicians.

Former Reform party leader Preston Manning called Klein a "man of the people."

"I think part of his attraction to Albertans was that they felt he was one of us. He also, of course, was a strong fiscal conservative and managed to reduce the debt and deficit and taxes at a time when that had to be done. So I think his legacy will be that he left the province stronger than when he came to power and that he endeared himself to an awful lot of Albertans."

[View the story "Prominent Canadians bid farewell to Ralph Klein" on Storify]

Storified by CBC News Community· Fri, Mar 29 2013 15:34:34

Laureen & I join Albertans & Canadians in paying tribute to Ralph Klein. We have lost a unique & significant leader. http://ow.ly/1UgbSwStephen Harper

Very sorry about Ralph Klein's passing - he was an original, a gifted politician and a man without pretense. He will be missed.Bob Rae

Blessings to Premier Klein's family. Ralph was a terrific Canadian. He represented his people with passion and strength. #cdnpoli #abpoliJustin Trudeau, MP

Ralph Klein never ran for national office, but profoundly changed the arc of Canadian politics. In many ways, he was our Thatcher.Jason Kenney

Rest in Peace, Ralph Klein. A great leader who never lost touch with the common sense of the common people. Thank-you for a life of service.Jason Kenney

Condolences to family and friends of former Alta Premier Ralph Klein. 1942-2013. A towering figure in our political life. #cdnpoliElizabeth May MP

I am saddened by the loss of Ralph Klein. May his resilience and dedication live on in our memories.David Johnston

A straight talking leader with vision, capacity for the toughest decisions & a grassroots touch is a very special leader. RIP Ralph KleinBrad Wall

Rest In Peace Ralph Klein. Our sincerest condolences to the Klein family.Mayor Rob Ford

May Premier Klein rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with Colleen and the Klein family. http://alberta.ca/NewsFrame.cfm?ReleaseID=/acn/201303/33897B7AD3B0F-0CE2-D9D7-9DC2E0A0B91D2589.html #ableg #pcaaAlison Redford

Ralph Klein, the hugely popular though often controversial man known as "King Ralph," or just plain Ralph, led Alberta's long-ruling Progressive Conservative Party from 1992 to 2006 and presided over four consecutive majority governments.

The former premier, who died Friday surrounded by family and friends in a Calgary-area long-term care facility, was 70.

CBC News - Interactive - Klein CondolencesRalph Klein: 1942-2013 Guestbook of condolences

With files from the Canadian Press

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North Korea says it's entered a 'state of war' with South Korea

North Korea says it has entered 'a state of war' with South Korea in the latest of a string of threats that have raised tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

A statement Saturday by Pyongyang said all matters between the sides will be dealt with in a manner befitting war.

Earlier this week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his troops to be on a high alert in response to annual U.S-South Korean drills. He warned his forces were ready "to settle accounts with the U.S." after two American B-2 bombers flew a training mission in South Korea.

South Korea says the latest threat is a follow-up to Kim's order.

Analysts say a full-scale conflict is suicidal for Pyongyang and the threats are aimed at drawing Washington into talks.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's threats are worrisome because of its arsenal of short- and mid-range missiles that can hit targets in South Korea and Japan. (KCNA/Reuters)

Later Friday at the main square in Pyongyang, tens of thousands of North Koreans turned out for a 90-minute mass rally in support of Kim's call to arms. Men and women, many of them in olive drab uniforms, stood in arrow-straight lines, fists raised as they chanted, "Death to the U.S. imperialists." Placards in the plaza bore harsh words for South Korea as well, including, "Let's rip the puppet traitors to death!"

Small North Korean warships, including patrol boats, conducted maritime drills off both coasts of North Korea near the border with South Korea on Thursday, South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said in a briefing Friday. He didn't provide more details.

The spokesman said that South Korea's military was mindful of the possibility that North Korean drills could lead to an actual provocation. He also said that the South Korean and U.S. militaries are watching closely for any signs of missile launch preparations in North Korea. He didn't elaborate.

Pyongyang vows nuclear strike on U.S.

North Korea, which says it considers the U.S.-South Korean military drills preparations for invasion, has pumped out a string of threats in state media. In the most dramatic case, Pyongyang made the highly improbable vow to nuke the United States.

On Friday, state media released a photo of Kim and his senior generals huddled in front of a map showing routes for envisioned strikes against cities on both American coasts. The map bore the title "U.S. Mainland Strike Plan."

Portions of the photo appeared to be manipulated, though an intriguing detail — a bandage on Kim's left arm — appeared to be real.

Experts believe the country is years away from developing nuclear-tipped missiles that could strike the United States. Many say they've also seen no evidence that Pyongyang has long-range missiles that can hit the U.S. mainland.

Still, there are fears of a localized conflict, such as a naval skirmish in disputed Yellow Sea waters. Such naval clashes have happened three times since 1999. There's also the danger that such a clash could escalate. Seoul has vowed to hit back hard the next time it is attacked.

North Korea's threats are also worrisome because of its arsenal of short- and mid-range missiles that can hit targets in South Korea and Japan. Seoul is only a short drive from the heavily armed border separating the Koreas.

"The North can fire 500,000 rounds of artillery on Seoul in the first hour of a conflict," analysts Victor Cha and David Kang wrote recently for Foreign Policy magazine. They also note that North Korea has a history of testing new South Korean leaders; President Park Geun-hye took office late last month. "Since 1992, the North has welcomed these five new leaders by disturbing the peace," they wrote.

U.S. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel told reporters Thursday that the decision to send B-2 bombers to join the military drills was part of normal exercises and not intended to provoke North Korea. Hagel acknowledged, however, that North Korea's belligerent tones and actions in recent weeks have ratcheted up the danger in the region, "and we have to understand that reality."

First U.S. exercise of its kind in South Korea

U.S. Forces Korea said the B-2 stealth bombers flew from a U.S. air base in Missouri and dropped dummy munitions on an uninhabited South Korean island range on Thursday before returning home. The Pentagon said this was the first time a B-2 had dropped dummy munitions over South Korea, and later added that it was unclear whether there had ever been any B-2 flights there at all.

The statement follows an earlier U.S. announcement that nuclear-capable B-52 bombers participated in the joint military drills.

Pyongyang uses the U.S. nuclear arsenal as a justification for its own push for nuclear weapons. It claims that U.S. nuclear firepower is a threat to its existence and provocation.

The two Missouri-based stealth bombers used in the South Korean drills probably weren't nuclear-armed, but experts say they're the aircraft that would likely be sent if Washington ever decides it does want to drop nuclear bombs on North Korea. The United States doesn't forward-deploy nuclear weapons in South Korea, Okinawa, Guam or Hawaii.

"The B-2 can reach targets from North Korea to Iran directly from Missouri, which is what the United States did in the early stages of operations against Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Iraq," analyst Jeffrey Lewis wrote in a post on ArmsControlWonk.com earlier this month.

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Generation Why: This week's must reads for young Canadians

CBC News Community team, from left to right: Andrew Yates, Lauren O'Neil, Andrea Bellamare, John Bowman (Not shown: Andrea Lee-Greenberg, on leave)

If you're part of the CBC News community, you're likely to meet one of us: we're the folks working to produce and promote your stories. Read more about us.

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Stockwell Day: Ralph Klein was 'genuine,' kept his word

Ralph Klein owed me nothing.

When he ran for the leadership of the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party in 1993, I supported another worthy candidate. For that effort, I fully expected to be overlooked in his selection of ministers for his new cabinet.

I will always remember his phone call two days before the new cabinet was to be announced.

He had just won the biggest battle of his career so far. He was now numero uno in Alberta. He had won the right to call the shots. He didn't have to concern himself with an also-ran like me.

As a matter of fact, before he became premier, he was a freshly minted minister in Don Getty's cabinet and I was the whip. On more than one occasion, I had called him or his unruly executive assistant, a guy named Rod Love, to exercise my authority and express my displeasure regarding his tardy arrival to morning cabinet meetings.

Now the shoe was surely on the other foot. I fully expected this surprise call would be a terse "thank you" for my previous services along with instructions to make way for the new whip.

His tone was neither triumphant nor dismissive. It was something I can only categorize as "just Ralph." Something I would become accustomed to in the years ahead — earthy, genuine, human.

"Hey Stock, how's it going?" he asked, as if he meant it.

I responded to his sincerity with a touch of caution. "Fine, Premier, thank you."

His next line was vintage Ralph — always catching the recipient off guard with his transparent vulnerability.

"Stock, I need your help," he said, without a flicker of pretense. "I would like you to be in cabinet as my minister of labour." For me, the rest was history.

For Ralph, it was just another unassuming encounter with a fellow traveller on the road called Life. For the next seven years, I would be witness to untold examples of those moments of contact between the man they called King Ralph and those who willingly committed themselves as his cheerful subjects — personal, individual moments that thousands of us now recall with crystal clarity.

You know, those times when we say to ourselves, "Why can't I be more like that?"

Don't get me wrong — like all of us, the man had his faults. The difference was, Ralph didn't try to hide his. Ralph was Ralph. That endearing quality allowed him to do and say things that mere mortals could never get away with.

Certainly, many of his unforgettable quips and comments will live on in posterity. Many columnists, I'm sure, will recall the lines that shocked and sometimes infuriated.

I recall with fondness some of his simple observations, which were profound enough to drive seismic policy decisions, and that would alter how politics was done.

On taxation, when I was Alberta's treasurer (minister of finance) and oil prices were below $18 a barrel: "Stock, any politician can raise taxes, it's a no-brainer. We have to give people a break. The only way taxes are going is down."

On media, when we would whine in caucus about journalists: "Hey people, I used to be one of them. Get used to it, and never forget the three C's that guide them: Chaos, Controversy and Confusion. Now let's get back to work."

On staying the course if you believed the cause was right: "Whatever you do, don't blink."

On Albertans: "The greatest people in the greatest province in the greatest country on Earth."

On a cold afternoon on the balcony at Government House, when he advised me in private that a dear friend of his would have to be asked to leave cabinet. On that occasion, no words from Ralph, just tears running down his cheeks.

On his beautiful and stalwart wife, Colleen, after some unfair media comment about her, with fire in his eyes: "Attacking me is one thing — that's life in politics. But when they touch my family, they cross the line."

On why Alberta's aboriginal chiefs trusted him: "I dunno, I guess it's because I keep my word."

On the billboards that started (and ended) his successful 1997 election campaign was a simple line that should speak to all of us, especially politicians, about his legacy:

"He Kept His Word."

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Kenya high court backs results of presidential vote

Kenya's Supreme Court says the results of the country's March 4 presidential election are valid and that Uhuru Kenyatta has won.

Saturday's verdict — following a drawn-out court case that riveted the nation — means that Kenyatta will be sworn in as president early next month.

Kenyatta will become the second sitting president in Africa to face charges at the International Criminal Court. He and Deputy President-elect William Ruto both face charges related to having helped orchestrate the 2007-08 postelection violence.

Both men deny the charges. Ruto's trial is set to begin in late May; Kenyatta's is to start in July. Kenyatta has promised to report to The Hague.

Lawyers for challenger Raila Odinga argued before the Supreme Court that the March 4 election was marred by irregularities.

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Hospital parking rates a 'tax' on sick Canadians

Rising hospital parking rates amount to a tax on ailing Canadians, says one medical specialist.

A CBC Marketplace report found many Canadians are missing hospital appointments and experiencing added stress due to the costs of parking at their local health centre.

"Parking fees are a penalty for having a disease," says cancer specialist Dr. Bob Winston. "It seems like an unfair tax on my patients."

That "tax" affects patients in many negative ways, he says. Some patients tell him they can't afford to come to appointments and the overall cost, plus the pressure to keep feeding the meter, adds a level of stress that can interfere with their treatments and recovery.

"My patients have a lot of stress from the get-go, and with the addition of more stress with regards to the parking is sort of salt in the wound," he told Marketplace co-host Erica Johnson.

Vicki McKenna, vice-president of the Ontario Nursing Association, agrees.

"It's bad enough that you're having to seek treatment, and that you have an illness, and sometimes a chronic illness, but then you have to worry about parking? It just doesn't sit right with me, and it shouldn't be the way it is."

Survey finds costs create stress

As part of its investigation, Marketplace surveyed over 1,000 Canadians, and found 52 per cent said parking costs affect how often they can visit a hospital, or for how long.

Among the findings:

• 38 per cent said they couldn't visit a patient as frequently as they wanted.
• 20 per cent felt they couldn't afford to visit patients at all.
• 3 per cent skipped medical appointments.
• 14 per cent said they couldn't afford to volunteer.

Winston says nothing should interfere with patient visits.

"Patients benefit hugely by having family and friends come in, both from a psychological point of view but also from a practical point of view," he said. "Any inhibitions for support for the patients is the wrong thing."

The survey also found 72 per cent of hospital visitors said parking costs added stress to their visits, which can have a negative impact on their health.

"Adding the economic stressors on top of the physical stressors really does add to the recovery time, how well they do, and it even affects interpersonal relationships," McKenna said.

Financial strain on families

The stress of that financial burden affects more than just the patients.

Vicki McKenna, vice-president of the Ontario Nursing Association, says hospitals should focus more on patient care, not revenues. (CBC)

Heather Stewart has made hundreds of trips to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children since her daughter Kathryn was diagnosed with cancer in 2008. By her count, she made 147 hospital visits in 2011 alone, and has spent thousands of dollars on parking.

"This is a huge additional stressor on our family," she said. "We're tapped. Let alone the emotional strain of having an ill child, it's also the financial strain. We've made huge sacrifices, and we would do it all again because our daughter's worth it, but to feel like you're getting pinched again is disheartening."

Parking can be a major moneymaker for hospitals. The Hospital for Sick Children – which raised its parking rates in January – netted $5 million in parking fees in 2012.

Sick Kids spokesman Jim Garner says he has "a lot of empathy" for families like the Stewarts, but says "Sick Kids can't be responsible for the full cost over the course of treatment of a child that's going through a complicated disease."

He defends the costs, saying that $5 million goes into research, infrastructure and patient care.

An online petition by the Ontario Parents Advocating for Children with Cancer, which calls for reduced parental parking rates at the Hospital for Sick Children, currently has 998 signatures.

In response, Garner says "the hospital tries to do everything it can do in a responsible and balanced way to support families and particularly those families who are in need."

He added that hospital representatives would be willing to meet the petitioning parents, "provided that it will be a constructive meeting."

Privatization increasing prices

Many hospitals are turning to privatized parking, which can be a double-edged sword, McKenna says; it allows hospitals to concentrate on patient care, but it means someone else controls the parking.

"Unless you have it in your contract specifically about how it will be staffed, how it will be maintained, what the max parking fees are… you lose control of it. And I think that's what's happened in most hospitals in Ontario."

McKenna concedes that hospitals need reliable revenue streams, but argues that it's unfair to put the burden on already troubled families, and says hospitals should find another way to make money.

"I understand (charging for parking), but we have to take it a bit further than just talking about how much revenue we can get. We have to think about there's a cost to that, not only to the patient, but to the system overall.

"Decisions should be made about patients and patient care, and the quality of health services. Not about how much revenue we can make," she added.

Stewart agrees.

I'm not saying I want free parking," she said. "I'm saying we need to consider who we're trying to tap for this money.

"You can't keep putting more stressors on families, people who are already tapped or else you're going to see a bigger drain on the healthcare system (because) they've got all these other stressors including money, that's causing more health issues. It's kind of a vicious circle."

Watch Marketplace's episode, Hospital Parking Pain, Friday at 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. in Newfoundland and Labrador).

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Pope Francis's Easter services could hint at Vatican reform

Pope Francis has been nearly universally lauded since his election earlier this month. In the streets of Rome, and in papers and newscasts around the world, he's been praised for his simplicity, humility and compassionate messages.

Easter is always a time of great spiritual public events within the Roman Catholic Church. All eyes are now on Francis, as every word, each move, every gesture is analyzed, parsed out and deconstructed in a search for meaning.

No one expects the new Pope to announce changes or make appointments over the next few days of this especially religious period. But he will have a lot of room to set the stage as he speaks during the many Easter masses and events.

It's nearly impossible to fault Francis's messages so far — love and help for the poor; personal responsibility for creating a better world; the need to care for the sick, elderly and young; and encouraging all individual Catholics to make an honest and authentic attempt to become a better person everyday. Compassion is hard to criticize.

But regaining institutional credibility, one profoundly damaged — both inside and outside the church — by years of scandal and mistrust, means that those words must soon become concrete actions. Francis must get his message out, and his church on board.

The Curia is curious

In any company or institution with a new boss, people get edgy.

They want to know what the new modus operandi is going to be — what the new boss likes and doesn't like. People want to know which way the wind is blowing in their organization, and what shared vision they are working towards. They know if the boss wants X to happen, they'd better make it happen. The Vatican is no different. That's what makes these next few days so important.

Francis has been firing across the bow of the church hierarchy ever since he stepped out onto the balcony. Now, whether they act from a profound sense of wanting to support Pope Francis's vision or from a more base desire for self-preservation, the members of the Vatican hierarchy must translate Francis's speeches and personal deeds into collective action. At least, if they know what's good for them.

This Pope smiles a lot, but behind it you sense a will of steel.

So when Francis says, "Jesus has no house because he dwells in people," questions start to be asked about what that might mean to the thousands of bricks-and-mortar churches around the world. When the pope warns his priests around the world to "go out" amongst the people, and says that it is not through "constant introspection that we encounter the Lord," he's talking about very real changes to the way some clergy live their lives. Expect more of these messages over the next few days.

Taking an axe to pomp, circumstance

As we've seen, Francis is also communicating in much more subtle ways. For example, by taking an axe to a lot of liturgical pomp and circumstance.

Now it may be hard to imagine that what a pope wears for shoes, or how the candlesticks are placed on an altar, can send a major signal, but in a place run in part on ritual, subtlety and whispers, such things matter. An Italian newspaper recently devoted a photo essay to Francis's cheap black plastic wristwatch, and what its continued presence might mean. In rare public criticism of Francis, some of the more conservative Catholic liturgical blogs are actually indignant over his simplicity of style.

Pope Francis, a man known for his humility, washes the foot of a prisoner at a youth prison in Rome on Thursday. (Osservatore Romano/Reuters)

This can all seem very "inside baseball" for people outside the Vatican circles. And in many ways it is – sometimes stultifying so. But all institutions have their discreet codes, their own internal language and style. Learning to read and interpret these subtle yet powerful signals correctly is vital if the church is going to implement Francis's vision and regain its lost credibility.

Not just cardinals, but right down to priests in parishes across the world. A pope's personality has global impact.

The challenge now is learning Francis's code.

When a pope chooses not to move into the fancy apartment with the spectacular view, when he insists on eating communal meals and attending mass with Vatican garbage collectors, it becomes a lot harder for others to keep their perks. Over time, we can expect a trickle-down effect as the "man in white" leads by example and others rush to board the simplicity train. But that, too, creates problems.

Much is being made by the Vatican of "continuity" between Benedict XVI and Francis. There's truth to this. It's not like anyone expects to see married priests anytime soon. But the priorities of Pope Francis… that's where things are getting interesting.

A new chapter in church history

Some in the Curia say privately that they welcome Francis as the opportunity to "write a new chapter" in church history. But as they sit with pens poised, in many ways, they're staring at a blank page.

Stroll through the bookshops near Vatican City and you'll see a dozen "instant" publications about Francis. They're short little affairs of a couple dozen pages, breathlessly written in the last few days and all attempting to puzzle out the thinking and backstory of the new pope.

Among the publications that have recently hit the shelves are two books (pamphlets, really) written by Francis himself, back when he was still Cardinal Bergoglio. People are poring over them in Vatican offices and Roman cafés, trying to figure out his style and his vision — trying to find the way forward.

Popes don't come with "party" platforms like prime ministers or presidents. So Francis's public statements and actions are all we have to go on until he begins to write church documents.

Unlike many well-known cardinals (such as Josef Ratzinger, who become Pope Benedict XVI), Bergoglio has not been widely published. He was known in Rome for avoiding the limelight, sitting at the back of the room during meetings, speaking quietly and seldom. So there's little to go on when it comes to figuring out his aspirations for the world's largest and most diverse organization. That's what makes his words over these next few days so important.

That, and what can be puzzled out through his agenda.

We know the Pope has had many private meetings with curial government officials (including Cardinal Marc Ouellet) over the last few days. The Vatican newspaper prints a small list of "audiences" every day, which is eagerly scrutinized as people try to piece together what might be happening behind the Vatican walls. Everyday there's buzz about who might get tapped for something big. But other than oblique rumour, we'll never learn what was said during these closed-door discussions.

The Pope is calling for a simpler church, and his message is being echoed in the Vatican newspaper, on Vatican radio, by those in Curial offices and even the secular media. But Francis will need to make sure that his drive for simplicity doesn't just become a litany.

Francis will need help

Now, anyone who has ever tried to change an institutional culture, say at work, or in a club, or even their local community garden group, knows that simplifying things doesn't just happen because you talk about it. Try to turn something complex into something simple, and you can find yourself trapped in a labyrinth of conflicting priorities and personalities. Francis is going to need help.

In the cobblestoned streets around Vatican City, much has been made of the "political" appointments the Pope is expected to make after Easter, like who exactly he will choose to fill the various offices of the Curial government — most importantly, the powerful secretary of state job.

But there is another possibility also being quietly talked about: Francis could move through the Curia like a hot knife through butter.

Rather than merely appoint like-minded officials to the dozens of pre-existing offices and attempt to reform from within, Francis could bust apart the Curia and rebuild it in his own fashion. He is Pope, after all — the last absolute monarch in Europe. Using the nuclear option would certainly demonstrate change. Fear alone could convince any cardinals planning to resist Francis's message to step into line.

The Pope has a responsibility to see that his words don't remain rhetoric and that his own deeds aren't done in isolation. Being a leader requires more. The international media, which has been gentle on this gentle man, will likely take off the gloves after Easter.

My bet is that the cardinals of the conclave are going to get more than they bargained for, and that Pope Francis will not only continue his own personal message of humility but find a way to make it stick.

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North Korea orders rocket preparations after U.S. drill

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un warned Friday that his rocket forces were ready "to settle accounts with the U.S.," unleashing a new round of bellicose rhetoric after U.S. nuclear-capable B-2 bombers dropped dummy munitions in joint military drills with South Korea.

Kim's warning, and the litany of threats that have preceded it, don't indicate an imminent war. In fact, they're most likely meant to coerce South Korea into softening its policies, win direct talks and aid from Washington, and strengthen the young leader's credentials and image at home.

But the threats from North Korea and rising animosity from the rivals that have followed UN sanctions over Pyongyang's Feb. 12 nuclear test do raise worries of a misjudgment leading to a clash.

Kim "convened an urgent operation meeting" of senior generals just after midnight, signed a rocket preparation plan and ordered his forces on standby to strike the U.S. mainland, South Korea, Guam and Hawaii, state media reported.

Kim said "the time has come to settle accounts with the U.S. imperialists in view of the prevailing situation," according to a report by the North's official Korean Central News Agency.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's threats are worrisome because of its arsenal of short- and mid-range missiles that can hit targets in South Korea and Japan. (KCNA/Reuters)

Later Friday at the main square in Pyongyang, tens of thousands of North Koreans turned out for a 90-minute mass rally in support of Kim's call to arms. Men and women, many of them in olive drab uniforms, stood in arrow-straight lines, fists raised as they chanted, "Death to the U.S. imperialists." Placards in the plaza bore harsh words for South Korea as well, including, "Let's rip the puppet traitors to death!"

Small North Korean warships, including patrol boats, conducted maritime drills off both coasts of North Korea near the border with South Korea on Thursday, South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said in a briefing Friday. He didn't provide more details.

The spokesman said that South Korea's military was mindful of the possibility that North Korean drills could lead to an actual provocation. He also said that the South Korean and U.S. militaries are watching closely for any signs of missile launch preparations in North Korea. He didn't elaborate.

Pyongyang vows nuclear strike on U.S.

North Korea, which says it considers the U.S.-South Korean military drills preparations for invasion, has pumped out a string of threats in state media. In the most dramatic case, Pyongyang made the highly improbable vow to nuke the United States.

On Friday, state media released a photo of Kim and his senior generals huddled in front of a map showing routes for envisioned strikes against cities on both American coasts. The map bore the title "U.S. Mainland Strike Plan."

Portions of the photo appeared to be manipulated, though an intriguing detail — a bandage on Kim's left arm — appeared to be real.

Experts believe the country is years away from developing nuclear-tipped missiles that could strike the United States. Many say they've also seen no evidence that Pyongyang has long-range missiles that can hit the U.S. mainland.

Still, there are fears of a localized conflict, such as a naval skirmish in disputed Yellow Sea waters. Such naval clashes have happened three times since 1999. There's also the danger that such a clash could escalate. Seoul has vowed to hit back hard the next time it is attacked.

North Korea's threats are also worrisome because of its arsenal of short- and mid-range missiles that can hit targets in South Korea and Japan. Seoul is only a short drive from the heavily armed border separating the Koreas.

"The North can fire 500,000 rounds of artillery on Seoul in the first hour of a conflict," analysts Victor Cha and David Kang wrote recently for Foreign Policy magazine. They also note that North Korea has a history of testing new South Korean leaders; President Park Geun-hye took office late last month. "Since 1992, the North has welcomed these five new leaders by disturbing the peace," they wrote.

U.S. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel told reporters Thursday that the decision to send B-2 bombers to join the military drills was part of normal exercises and not intended to provoke North Korea. Hagel acknowledged, however, that North Korea's belligerent tones and actions in recent weeks have ratcheted up the danger in the region, "and we have to understand that reality."

First U.S. exercise of its kind in South Korea

U.S. Forces Korea said the B-2 stealth bombers flew from a U.S. air base in Missouri and dropped dummy munitions on an uninhabited South Korean island range on Thursday before returning home. The Pentagon said this was the first time a B-2 had dropped dummy munitions over South Korea, and later added that it was unclear whether there had ever been any B-2 flights there at all.

The statement follows an earlier U.S. announcement that nuclear-capable B-52 bombers participated in the joint military drills.

Pyongyang uses the U.S. nuclear arsenal as a justification for its own push for nuclear weapons. It claims that U.S. nuclear firepower is a threat to its existence and provocation.

The two Missouri-based stealth bombers used in the South Korean drills probably weren't nuclear-armed, but experts say they're the aircraft that would likely be sent if Washington ever decides it does want to drop nuclear bombs on North Korea. The United States doesn't forward-deploy nuclear weapons in South Korea, Okinawa, Guam or Hawaii.

"The B-2 can reach targets from North Korea to Iran directly from Missouri, which is what the United States did in the early stages of operations against Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Iraq," analyst Jeffrey Lewis wrote in a post on ArmsControlWonk.com earlier this month.

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Tax season facts and figures

Tax season is a festive time for those who are nuts about numbers.

In their honour and for their enjoyment, CBC News has compiled some tax trivia, courtesy of Statistics Canada except where noted, including taxes paid by the rich (and the rest of us) for the tax year 2010, the latest year for which there is a range of data.

25.5 million: number of people filing Canadian tax returns.

$118.6 billion: total personal and non-resident income tax collected (federal, provincial and territorial), in the 12 months to March 31, 2011, according to the federal Department of Finance. Up 8.6 per cent from $109.2 billion in 2009.

(CBC)

$14,500: average income tax paid by families of two or more people. Up from $14,200 in 2009.

$8,200: median (meaning half of the people pay more and half pay less than this) income tax paid by families of two or more people. Unchanged from 2009

15.9%: implied tax rate on families with two or more members. Up from 15.7% in 2009.

$8.3 billion: total value of charitable donations claimed.

$1,437: average total of charitable donations claimed per tax filer.

254,700: number of individuals who made up the wealthiest 1% of tax filers.

21%: percentage of women among the wealthiest 1%. Up from 11% in 1982.

10.6%: how much of Canada's total income the wealthiest 1% of tax filers ( i.e. those who paid the most tax in) accounted for. Down from its 2006 peak of 12.1% and up from 7.0% in the early 1980s.

21.2%: proportion of total income taxes collected paid by the richest 1%. Down from a 2007 peak of 23.3%.

$201,400: minimum annual income to be considered in the wealthiest 1%.

$283,400: the median income of the richest 1%.

$28,400: the median income of the remaining 99%.

$90,100: the median income tax paid by the richest 1%.

$1,800: the median income tax paid by the remaining 99%.

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Good Friday marked with prayers, chants and re-enactments

Hundreds of Christians streamed through the cobblestone alleyways of Jerusalem's Old City on Friday, hoisting wooden crosses and chanting prayers to mark the crucifixion of Jesus.

Throngs of pilgrims walked a traditional Good Friday procession that retraces Jesus' steps along the Via Dolorosa, Latin for the "Way of Suffering." They followed his 14 stations, saying a prayer at each and ending at the ancient Holy Sepulcher church.

Along the route, Franciscan friars in brown robes chanted prayers in Latin and explained the different stations to crowds through a megaphone. One man dressed as Jesus wearing a crown of thorns was flanked by men posing as Roman soldiers and had fake blood dripping down his chest as he lugged a giant cross down the street.

Christian Catholic pilgrim lights a candle inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ, in Jerusalem's Old City. (Bernat Armangue/Associated Press)

"The most perfect love that was ever seen in the world was when Jesus died for us. He showed us the perfection of love," said Mary.

Good Friday events kicked off with a morning service at the cavernous Holy Sepulcher, which was built on the place where tradition holds Jesus was crucified, briefly entombed and resurrected. Clergy dressed in colorful robes entered through the church's large wooden doors as worshippers prayed in the church courtyard.

Later Friday, a service was due in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, built atop the traditional site of Jesus' birth. Christians believe Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and resurrected on Easter Sunday.

Roman Catholic and Protestant congregations that observe the new, Gregorian calendar, mark Easter this week. Orthodox Christians, who follow the old, Julian calendar, will mark Good Friday in May.

Less than two per cent of the population of Israel and the Palestinian territories is Christian, mostly split between Catholicism and Orthodox streams of Christianity. Christians in the West Bank wanting to attend services in Jerusalem must obtain permission from Israeli authorities.

Israel's Tourism Ministry said it expects some 150,000 visitors in Israel during Easter week and the Jewish festival of Passover, which coincide this year.

Filipino devotees re-enact crucifixion

Devotees in villages in the northern Philippines took part in a bloody annual ritual to mark Good Friday, a celebration that mixes Roman Catholic devotion and Filipino folk beliefs and sees some re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The crucified devotees spent several minutes nailed to crosses in Pampanga province while thousands of tourists watched and took photos, which the church discourages. Earlier in the day, hooded male penitents trudged through the province's villages under the blazing sun while flagellating their bleeding backs with makeshift whips. Others carried wooden crosses to dramatize Christ's sacrifice.

Devotees undergo the hardships in the belief that such extreme sacrifices are a way to atone for their sins, attain miracle cures for illnesses or give thanks to God.

Ruben Enaje (centre), 52, was one of several devotees in northern Philippines to re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ by being nailed to a cross. (Romeo Ranoco/Reuters)

Alex Laranang, a 58-year-old vendor who was the first to be nailed to a cross Friday, said he was doing it "for good luck and for my family to be healthy."

It was the 27th crucifixion for sign painter Ruben Enaje, 52, one of the most popular penitents from San Pedro Cutud village. He began his yearly rite after surviving a fall from a building.

Enaje screamed in pain as men dressed as Roman soldiers hammered stainless steel nails into his palms and feet. A wireless microphone carried his voice to loudspeakers for everyone watching to hear.

His cross was raised and he was hanged there for several minutes under the searing afternoon sun before the nails were pulled out and he was taken on a stretcher to a first aid station.

"It's intriguing and fascinating what makes people do something like this, how you can believe so much that you make yourself suffer to that extent," said Dita Tittesass, a tourist from Denmark.

Remigio de la Cruz, the chief of San Pedro Cutud village, explained that the practice began in his village in the 1950s.

Archbishop Jose Palma, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, told the church-run Radio Veritas that the practice is "not the desire of Jesus Christ."

"We are aware that this has been practiced long before ... but we still hope that this will not be done any more," he said. "We should all concentrate on prayers."

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Chris Hall: Abortion politics masquerading as free speech

Far more journalists than usual crammed the hallway outside the Conservatives' weekly caucus meeting on Wednesday, drawn by the prospect of a handful of backbench MPs waging an open rebellion against the prime minister.

The issues: free speech and abortion.

Alas, the revolt never spilled into the hallways, where it would have been laid bare before camera and microphone.

But the challenge to Stephen Harper's authority remains. And it's providing a rare glimpse at a real rift inside the Conservative Party.

The rebellion began earlier in the week when Langley MP Mark Warawa publicly accused the party's leadership of trampling his rights as an MP, by refusing to allow him to make a statement in the Commons in the time reserved for backbenchers to speak.

At least two other MPs openly supported Warawa, saying they, too, had been blocked from raising certain topics during members' statement, topics that they say represent the views of their constituents.

They also said that they speak for many others in the Conservative caucus.

Those views, of course, are on abortion, arguably the most troublesome, divisive and politically explosive issue Harper has had to face.

It's a bedrock principle for many in his party, anathema to others.

Not the first attack

The prime minister has repeatedly said that he will not re-open the abortion debate as long as he's in office. And he's been true to that commitment, even as social conservatives inside his caucus continue to craft creative ways to resurrect the subject.

Conservative MP Mark Warwa gets set on Wednesday to ask the Commons house affairs committee to accept his private member's motion. (Fred Chartrand / Canadian Press)

The first volley was a motion brought by Kitchener Centre MP Stephen Woodworth that would have seen a committee investigate whether life really begins at birth.

That motion made it to the floor of the Commons last fall. It was defeated, but not before a number of Conservative broke ranks to support it.

Significantly, the supporters included Immigration Minister Jason Kenney and Rona Ambrose, the minister responsible for women's issues.

That led, understandably, to extensive media coverage and even wider speculation about the split inside the caucus, including the willingness of some members of cabinet to break with at least the spirit of Harper's commitment to voters.

Worse still, it was an unwelcome deviation from the prime minister's economic message, a deviation that he doesn't want repeated.

The Prime Minister's Office has exercised tight control over MPs.

Private member's bills are vetted closely. "Talking points" are issued — and repeated without a single altered word — on the most pressing issues the government faces, from the proposed purchase of the F-35 fighter craft to scrapping the long-gun registry.

Which bring us to Mark Warawa. He's not only off-script. He's off-message.

Party games

Warawa's private member's motion calls on Parliament to condemn the use of sex-selective abortion, a position most fair-minded people (even most MPs) would probably agree with.

The motion, however, was ruled out of order by all the parties on a parliamentary sub-committee, a decision Warawa is now challenging before the full Procedure and House Affairs Committee.

And this is where it gets interesting.

Not content to allow the committee to do its work, Warawa stood in the Commons this week to complain to the Speaker that his own party is violating his privileges by refusing to allow him to make a member's statement on abortion.

He and his supporters argue MPs must be allowed to represent the views of their constituents, an argument that obscures the fact that this is the second attempt in six months to use their public platform to re-open the abortion debate against the express wishes of their party leader.

It's clever, and principled up to a point, though it is also totally cynical.

These same MPs haven't said a peep in the past about being told what to say by the prime minister's officials.

They, and others, routinely devote members' statements to read Conservative Party attacks on NDP leader Tom Mulcair's "$20-billion-carbon tax" and the like.

Before that, they just as routinely assailed then Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff for ''just visiting" his home country.

These statements hardly qualified as issues of local concern to an MP's riding — the purpose of the daily 15 minutes devoted to member's statements.

And they are so similar in tone and content that it's clear they've been written by a single hand.

Nor, to this point, are Warawa or any of the other social conservatives who want abortion back on the national agenda prepared to quit the Conservative caucus over this so-called point of principle.

Caucus clash

It's clear, at least to the party brass, that these attempts won't end with Warawa's motion, any more than they did when the Commons voted down the first thinly-veiled attempt to re-open the abortion debate.

"We know who is behind this and what their goal is,'' a senior government aide said prior to the caucus meeting.

So the prime minister went into Wednesday's caucus to try to put and end to the distraction.

His office won't say what he told his rebellious MPs, citing caucus confidentiality. But some MPs didn't hold back.

Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Jay Aspin called the complainers ''rogues.''

"The Conservative Party has a policy. We had a policy going into the last election and they failed to adhere to it.''

Lethbridge MP Jim Hillyer says nobody's privileges as an MP are being denied.

''People willingly choose to be in parties,'' he told reporters. "And it's up to us to decide whether we want to be in a party and we decide how to work together.''

The message appeared to get through to at least one of Warawa's supporters.

Vegreville MP Leon Benoit — who complained on Tuesday that his rights had been taken away "when it comes to representing my constituents on certain topics'' was suddenly full of praise for the prime minister.

"We had a really good caucus meeting and the prime minister has shown his usual really good leadership, and I appreciate that. He's a great leader."

Harper, of course, has many tools at his disposal to deal with malcontents.

He can banish MPs from his caucus, as he did with former MP Helena Guergis. He can also refuse to sign the nomination papers of anyone who ignores the decree that abortion will not be re-opened.

However, despite the PM's intervention, Warawa's efforts continued to draw support inside caucus.

No fewer than four backbench Conservative MPs presented petitions in the Commons Wednesday afternoon calling on Parliament to support his motion to condemn sex-selective abortion.

Warawa may feel he's being muzzled. But his message is getting through.

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Date rape drug busts put China at top of border agency's list

Canada Border Services Agency data analyzed by CBC News shows China was the largest single source of drugs seized between 2007 and 2012, most of it in the form of substances often referred to as date rape drugs.

The bulk of the $1.5 billion total of drugs seized from China was from a single bust in Montreal in 2009 that intercepted a shipment of GHB, known commonly as a date rape drug, valued at $1.4 billion.

Ketamine, another hallucinogen often used as a date rape drug, also figures prominently in drug busts from China, according to analysis by CBC News Network's Power & Politics of CBSA data obtained through the Access to Information Act.

Although the number of seizures of drugs from China — 1,879 over the six years — is lower than some other countries, China is becoming a real concern, said the RCMP's Ken Cornell, who heads one of the force's anti-drug smuggling divisions.

It is one of the reasons the RCMP signed a memorandum of understanding with China in 2010 to share intelligence with an eye to combating smugglers.

But it has been a struggle.

"We have difficulty trying to share intelligence with the Chinese because it's difficult for them to do investigations when there are so many different [types of drugs]. They have a huge chemical and pharmaceutical industry in that country," Cornell said.

Cornell dislikes the term "date rape drug" used to describe GHB, ketamine and Rohypnol, stressing that they are used primarily as hallucinogens.

The drugs have made headlines because of the prominence they've played in sexual assaults, where the drug is slipped into a drink to knock a person out and make them an easy target for sexual assault.

Garry Clement, a former RCMP officer who heads up a company with an expertise in combating organized crime, said he believes a lot of drugs smuggled into Canada eventually wind up in the U.S.

Clement said what's also disturbing is the role of organized criminals. He said they tend to be the ones behind drug busts with street values ranging from the hundreds of thousands of dollars to millions, and in the China case, more than $1 billion.

Role of intelligence

That GHB bust is believed to be the border service agency's biggest. In the 2009 operation, officers seized 69 drums containing a "suspected illegal substance," which was "confirmed to be GHB," the CBSA said. The substance in the barrels did not contain 100 per cent GHB, though the agency declined to confirm the exact percentage.

Clement and Cornell said such large busts do not result from random searches, but rather from intelligence the CBSA and RCMP have gathered working with colleagues in the United States and overseas.

Cornell describes how information sharing leads to a bust.

"You will get a call from a customs official in Germany who says, 'We've got a shipment of furniture that we've done some testing on'… and they determine that they've got six kilos of heroin on board that came from Afghanistan or something like that," Cornell said.

"We'll have undercover operators who will pose as shipping companies, do the actual delivery and gather the evidence that we need to lay charges against these characters."

Intelligence is one of the areas affected as the border services agency makes cuts in an attempt to reduce spending as part of the federal government's bid to get rid of the deficit.

In the 2012 budget, the government announced the agency would lose 10 per cent of its budget, resulting in the loss of 250 front-line officers. But the union for the border guards said that number is closer to 325 and includes 56 intelligence agents, and that the overall total of personnel cut will be more than 1,350.

The agency said that it will be working smarter and maintaining its ability to nab smugglers.

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Nelson Mandela in hospital with lung infection

Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader who became South Africa's first black president, has been admitted to a hospital with a recurring lung infection, the presidential spokesman said Thursday.

Mandela, 94, has become increasingly frail in recent years and has been hospitalized several times since last year, most recently earlier this month when he underwent what a presidential spokesman described as a "successful" medical test. The Nobel laureate is a revered figure in South Africa, which has honoured his legacy of reconciliation by naming buildings and other places after him and printing his image on national banknotes.

'We appeal to the people of South Africa and the world to pray for our beloved Madiba and his family and to keep them in their thoughts.'—Jacob Zuma, South African president

"I'm so sorry. I'm sad," said Obed Mokwana, a Johannesburg resident. "I just try to pray all the time. He must come very strong again."

The Nobel laureate was admitted to a hospital just before midnight Wednesday "due to the recurrence of his lung infection," the office of President Jacob Zuma said in a statement.

"Doctors are attending to him, ensuring that he has the best possible expert medical treatment and comfort," the statement said. It appealed "for understanding and privacy in order to allow space to the doctors to do their work."

Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said Mandela was in a hospital in the South African capital of Pretoria, but he did not specify which one.

In December, Mandela spent three weeks in a hospital in Pretoria, where he was treated for a lung infection and had a procedure to remove gallstones.

Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj acknowledged there was cause for worry, but said the medical specialists treating Mandela were very competent.

"The health has been OK given his age, but the downturn last night — obviously when the lung infection recurs, the doctors will want to do everything possible and make sure that they don't allow the infection to spread, that they arrest it as quickly as possible," Maharaj said in an interview with eNCA, a South African news channel.

He said there had been a global outpouring of messages expressing concern for Mandela's health.

Zuma wished Mandela a speedy recovery, referring to him affectionately by his clan name, "Madiba."

"We appeal to the people of South Africa and the world to pray for our beloved Madiba and his family and to keep them in their thoughts. We have full confidence in the medical team and know that they will do everything possible to ensure recovery," the presidential statement quoted Zuma as saying.

Mandela spent a night in a hospital and was released on March 10 following a medical test. At that time, presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said Mandela was "well."

In February 2012, Mandela spent a night in a hospital for minor diagnostic surgery to determine the cause of an abdominal complaint. In January 2011, he was admitted to a Johannesburg hospital for what officials initially described as tests but what turned out to be an acute respiratory infection. He was discharged days later.

He also had surgery for an enlarged prostate gland in 1985.

27 years in prison

Under South Africa's white-minority apartheid regime, Mandela served 27 years in prison, where he contracted tuberculosis, before being released in 1990. He later became the nation's first democratically elected president in 1994 under the banner of the African National Congress, helping to negotiate a relatively peaceful end to apartheid despite fears of much greater bloodshed. He served one five-year term as president before retiring.

Perceived successes during Mandela's tenure include the introduction of a constitution with robust protections for individual rights and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a panel that heard testimony about apartheid-era violations of human rights as a kind of national therapy session. South Africa still struggles with crime, economic inequality and other social ills.

Mandela last made a public appearance on a major stage when South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament.

He had spent more time in the rural village of Qunu in Eastern Cape province, where he grew up. He was visited there in August by Hillary Clinton, who was U.S. secretary of state at the time.

Doctors said in December that he should remain at his home in the Johannesburg neighborhood of Houghton for the time being to be close to medical facilities that can provide the care he needs.

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Quebec zookeeper attacked by tiger

A zookeeper was attacked by a tiger at the Saint-Félicien wild zoo in the Lac-St-Jean region of Quebec this morning.

Quebec provincial police said the man was inside the pen with the tiger and was seriously injured.

He was still conscious when he was rushed to hospital by ambulance.

Zoo officials have put the tiger into an isolation pen, but have not killed it.

Quebec's workplace health and safety investigators are looking into the incident.

The zoo takes a natural approach to its animal habitats and attempts to recreate their natural topography, even allowing some species to cohabit as they would in the wild.

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BlackBerry swings back to profit

BlackBerry posted a profit in the fourth quarter as the smartphone maker gave a first glimpse of its performance since unveiling its latest suite of smartphones several weeks ago.

The Waterloo, Ont.-based company reported a profit of $94 million US or 18 cents per share for quarter ended March 2. That's a turnaround from the recent trend: in the same period a year ago, RIM lost$125 million US or 24 cents per share.

The results surprised analysts who according to Thomson Reuters were expecting on average a loss of 29 cents per share from the company.

The numbers are the first we've seen from RIM since the company unveiled its new Z10 and Q10 smartphones in Canada, the U.K. and abroad. However, they don't include sales from the key U.S. market where the launch was delayed.

The company shipped about one million smartphones on its new BlackBerry 10 operating system in the period, it said. That would include devices sent to retail outlets that landed in customers hands, or also have yet to be sold.

"We have implemented numerous changes at BlackBerry over the past year and those changes have resulted in the company returning to profitability in the fourth quarter," said chief executive Thorsten Heins in a release.

Lazaridis steps down

Meanwhile, the company's longtime subscriber base, which had been growing until the third quarter, dropped to 76 million from 79 million, a sign that more people ditched their older Blackberry models in favour of competitor phones.

"They lost about a million more subscribers than we thought," Jefferies analyst Peter Misek told CBC News after the numbers were released. "But overall this is a better than expected result."

Selling fewer older devices that are less profitable ate into the company's earnings. But the uptick in newer models may be enough to power growth.

"The numbers suggest that they're on a recovery path," Misek said. "But the key question is can they execute it."

Revenue increased to $2.68 billion, coming in below expectations of $2.84 billion, according to a poll by Thomson Reuters.

The company also announced that co-founder Mike Lazaridis will retire as vice-chairman and director on May 1. Lazaridis is was the inventor of the iconic BlackBerry device almost two decades ago. He ran the company along with co-CEO Jim Balsillie until early 2012 when the duo were replaced in a management shakeup.

His departure as chair is the last symbolic link to the company's origins. Although he's retiring after 29 years with the company, Lazaridis says he has no plans to sell his significant stock holdings in the company. He still owns almost six per cent of RIM.

BlackBerry shares gained almost two per cent or 26 cents to $14.83 in New York on Thursday.

With files from The Canadian Press

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Senator discloses details of affair with political assistant

Conservative Sen. Pierre-Hughes Boisvenu says the Senate ethics officer told him last year he couldn't keep his girlfriend on his office payroll, but he did nothing about it for six months.

Boisvenu unexpectedly opened up to reporters Tuesday about the details of his relationship with former aide Isabelle Lapointe, and the difficult breakdown of his marriage.

He had been forced to admit last month that he had carried on a relationship with Lapointe. Boisvenu, who often takes on the role of French spokesman for the Conservatives on law-and-order issues, said the affair began after he hired Lapointe.

The senator now says the ethics officer told him last spring that the relationship constituted a potential conflict of interest and that Boisvenu should either end it or fire the woman. But the senator did not take immediate action.

"During the months that followed, it was the subject of a discussion between her and I," Boisvenu said.

"We got to the fall, the end of the fall of 2012, and said OK, we have to end this relationship or if the relationship continues she has to work elsewhere. When the issue became known publicly, that accelerated things."

Senator repaid 'minor' accomodation stipend

The Senate ethics officer's office would not comment on the Boisvenu case. But spokeswoman Louise Dalphy said "the office does not have a policing function."

While Boisvenu's marriage was falling apart, he lived with Lapointe near Ottawa for three months while collecting a minor accommodation stipend. He later repaid the $900 to guard against any suggestion of impropriety.

Boisvenu concedes the ethics officer's advice was "relatively clear," but that his personal situation was in flux.

"It was a relationship that came and went, like the one with my wife, because I was completely torn between the two," Boisvenu said.

Lapointe eventually left his employ to work elsewhere in the Senate on March 11. Boisvenu said it was a difficult decision.

"It's like the motivation at work, the energy in the office has completely disappeared," he said.

"My assistant, she was the heart of the office ... really the glue, I mean, between my political assistant and the office. When that disappeared...everything crushed, crumbled."

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Wiretap order needed to seize text messages, court rules

Police need a wiretap order to seize text messages from your wireless provider, Canada's highest court has ruled.

"Text messaging is, in essence, an electronic conversation. Technical differences inherent in new technology should not determine the scope of protection afforded to private communications," wrote Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella in the reasons for the judgment, which was supported by two judges.

Two other judges agreed in part and in the result, while two remaining judges dissented.

The decision overturns a lower court ruling against Telus Communications that required the company to hand over copies of two of its customers' text messages after it was served with a general warrant by police in Owen Sound, Ont.

Telus had appealed the ruling. The phone provider argued that seizing the messages would constitute "interception" of the communication and would therefore require a wiretap warrant. That is more difficult to get than a general warrant, because of special privacy provisions in the Criminal Code protecting private communications.

Abella said the only practical difference between text messaging and traditional voice communications is the transmission process.

"This distinction should not take text messages outside the protection to which private communications are entitled," she wrote.

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Nahlah Ayed: How Syria's war is reshaping the Middle East

Over many years of travelling to and living in Lebanon, I can't say I've ever seen a Russian warship docked at the port of Beirut.

But there they were earlier this month, gleaming in the distance, and for many Lebanese — in days as tense as these — their appearance was unsettling.

It may be — as one anonymous Russian official reportedly put it — that the ships were indeed simply restocking in a place far safer than their usual stop, Tartus, Russia's only supply base in the region. Tartus, of course, is in Syria, a staunch ally of Moscow, but a country at war.

Still, these warships made many in divided Lebanon nervous, especially those who insist they must maintain neutrality, if only in appearance, to avoid getting dragged into the Syrian conflict next door.

Lebanon has long had a tortured relationship with Syria, its former political master. But it is in a more precarious position than ever in a region increasingly polarized over Syria and its protracted conflict, now beginning its third year.

In a revolution that has morphed into a classic proxy war, Syria's battle lines have crystallized more than ever. The main protagonists are consolidating their support and pushing for clear commitments from their allies— you're either with us, or against us, they seem to be saying.

On the rebels' side, there appears to be little room anymore for prevaricating, or for anyone claiming neutrality.

You need only look at the past week of events, starting with America's diplomatic offensive.

On a visit Israel, U.S. President Barack Obama managed to orchestrate an Israeli apology to Turkey, swiftly ending three years of animosity over an attack on a Turkish ship attempting to break Israel's blockade against Gaza.

In his first big foray abroad, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry made a surprise visit to Baghdad on the weekend, where he met with Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (left) over the conflict in Syria. (Jason Reed / Associated Press)

The motive for the reconciliation: the need to be on the same page over a shared neighbour, Syria, that is falling apart.

Not only does the violence in Syria occasionally spill over into both Israel and Turkey. But the mere presence of Syria's chemical weapons — and the allegations that one side has already used them against the other — are enough for those two U.S. allies to bury their rift.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry then made a surprise visit to Baghdad for his own, Syria-related demand: that Iraq do more to stop Iranian arms shipments to Damascus through Iraqi airspace.

Kerry wants Iraq to inspect the daily flights, which are believed to be delivering weapons and ammunition to Tehran's long-time ally in Damascus.

Iraq — still painfully divided between its Sunni and Shia Muslims — seems reluctant to oblige Kerry on this, the government more likely to side with Tehran on Syria, much as the U.S. might hope otherwise.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported earlier this week that the CIA is helping deliver more shipments of arms from Turkey and Arab countries, to the Syrian opposition.

The rebel side

On another front, there was more cajoling of reluctant anti-regime supporters at a meeting in Dublin: the British and French foreign ministers were pushing hard to persuade other EU members to begin sending arms to Syria's opposition fighters.

At a meeting in Cairo, members of Syria's Alawite community distanced themselves for the first time from their co-religionist, Syrian President Bashar al Assad.

These dissidents called on the army, which is dominated in its upper ranks by Alawites, to turn on the president and join the opposition. Sensing the possibility of a sectarian bloodbath if the rebels do gain the upper hand, they are seeking to divorce their fate from that of Assad.

Then, in a move driven chiefly by the Sunni Muslim Gulf Arab nations that have supported the Syrian uprising from the start, the Arab League voted on Monday to support the opposition with every means possible.

Their final communiqué in Doha even went so far as to spell out the right of each nation to support the opposition militarily.

Any pretext that the Syrian conflict is simply one nation's internal war has been firmly laid to rest.

Symbolically, but perhaps just as important, Syria's seat at the Arab League was also officially handed over to the opposition in a historic decision that left Assad's regime apoplectic.

Last push

The lines couldn't be clearer. Though, predictably, Lebanon abstained.

Refraining from taking sides and keeping a lid on its internal divisions hasn't been easy — Lebanon's army is constantly on call to put out sectarian fires.

And the Lebanese government just quit over the persistent conflicts between its pro- and anti-Syrian camps, leaving the country in political limbo for the moment and at risk of deeper turmoil.

But in a remarkable feat for a country that knows well the pain of being constantly tugged in opposing directions, it still manages to welcome Russian military ships, as well as Syrian rebels, with open arms — possibly the only country in the region capable of doing so now.

The rest have positioned themselves, along with their allies and their proxies, for the coming phase of Syria's war.

The support, for now, falls short of the kind of limited intervention that some in the opposition have called for, and still likely falls short of what they need to actually defeat Assad's forces.

It also comes late, given how many have already died.

For the time being, this remains a conflict left largely to the Syrians to fight out. But that, it seems, will almost certainly change.

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